Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 328 · 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 prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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