Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 125 · 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) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
2. 2.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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