Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 465 · 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.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
21. 21.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
23. 23.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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