Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 423 · 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 cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”

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