Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 273 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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