Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 205 · 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 defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
32. 32.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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