Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 677 · 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.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first

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