Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 348 · 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.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
13. 13.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
36. 36.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion

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