Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 353 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.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) must prove the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
12. 12.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
25. 25.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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