Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 199 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition

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