Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 319 · 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) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.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
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
11. 11.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
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) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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