Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 869 · 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 must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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