Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 468 · 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 proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
35. 35.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) may test the definition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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