Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 414 · 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 opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
32. 32.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words

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