Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 75 · 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) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
9. 9.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
15. 15.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition

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