Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 191 · 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 propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
15. 15.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
31. 31.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition

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