Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 283 · 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) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.🔍 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
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
39. 39.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition

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