Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 899 · 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 start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
16. 16.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
23. 23.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
34. 34.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition

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