Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 770 · 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 give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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