Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 836 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
38. 38.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
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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