Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 895 · 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 proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
25. 25.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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