Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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