Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 633 · 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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