Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 185 · 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 side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
7. 7.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) speaks first
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
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 is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion

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