Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 966 · 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) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
2. 2.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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