Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 213 · 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.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
13. 13.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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