Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 793 · 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) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
4. 4.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
18. 18.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
35. 35.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.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”
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion

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