Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 288 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 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
8. 8.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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