Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 928 · 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 give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
8. 8.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
23. 23.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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