Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 647 · 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 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
35. 35.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”

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