Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 540 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
17. 17.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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