Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 581 · 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.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
25. 25.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
33. 33.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words

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