Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 72 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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