Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 941 · 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) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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