Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 916 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.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) is against the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
31. 31.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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