Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 924 · 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 a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first

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