Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 733 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
9. 9.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
16. 16.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.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
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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