Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 409 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (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) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion

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