Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 289 · 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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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