Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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