Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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