Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 720 · 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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
9. 9.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
14. 14.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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