Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 876 · 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 believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion

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