Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 955 · 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 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning

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