Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 256 · 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) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
33. 33.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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