Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 676 · 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 says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
3. 3.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
23. 23.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
40. 40.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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