Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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