Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 451 · 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 believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.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
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
38. 38.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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