Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 297 · 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 opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
9. 9.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
21. 21.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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