Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 422 · 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 defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition

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