Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 702 · 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 would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
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.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove 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.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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