Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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