Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 507 · 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 side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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