Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 706 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first

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