Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 419 · 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 would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
34. 34.🔍 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
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 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

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