Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 407 · 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) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.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
27. 27.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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