Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 388 · 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 believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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