Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 904 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
12. 12.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
40. 40.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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