Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 101 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
10. 10.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
36. 36.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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