Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 813 · 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.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
28. 28.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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