Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 571 · 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) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
4. 4.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
13. 13.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 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”
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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