Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 219 · 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.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
4. 4.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
21. 21.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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