Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 666 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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