Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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