Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 43 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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