Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 805 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
21. 21.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
30. 30.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
33. 33.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”

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