Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 463 · 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
15. 15.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 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
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
29. 29.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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