Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 530 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
39. 39.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
40. 40.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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