Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 523 · 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 opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
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 propose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
10. 10.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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