Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 204 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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