Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 689 · 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 spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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