Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 376 · 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 proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.🔍 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
31. 31.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
38. 38.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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