Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 345 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
2. 2.🔍 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”
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
6. 6.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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