Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 433 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
4. 4.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
12. 12.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
15. 15.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion

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