Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 471 · 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) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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