Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 972 · 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.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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