Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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