Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 258 · 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) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
21. 21.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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