Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 146 · 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 opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.🔍 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
31. 31.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
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 would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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