Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 606 · 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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