Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 518 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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