Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 801 · 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 side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
11. 11.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”
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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