Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 830 · 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.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
24. 24.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
40. 40.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”

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