Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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