Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 85 · 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 opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
4. 4.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
13. 13.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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