Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 370 · 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.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
18. 18.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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