Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 442 · 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.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
13. 13.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
20. 20.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
28. 28.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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