Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 445 · 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 a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
18. 18.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
25. 25.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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