Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 378 · 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.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
10. 10.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
32. 32.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion

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