Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 392 · 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) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words

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