Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 365 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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