Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 987 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
21. 21.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
28. 28.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first

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