Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 100 · 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 says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
21. 21.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
34. 34.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion

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