Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 617 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
31. 31.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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