Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 343 · 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 defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (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.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
39. 39.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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