Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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