Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 512 · 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 is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
29. 29.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion

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