Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 488 · 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 cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
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.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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