Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 268 · 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 would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
33. 33.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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