Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 884 · 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 believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (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) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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