Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 230 · 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 is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
12. 12.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
37. 37.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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