Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 967 · 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 side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
21. 21.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) must prove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
25. 25.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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