Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 189 · 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 may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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