Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 921 · 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 every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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