Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 427 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
11. 11.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
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 summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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