Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 908 · 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 not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.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
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
28. 28.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
33. 33.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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