Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 819 · 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 make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.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
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
26. 26.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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