Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 989 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
30. 30.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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