Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 382 · 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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 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
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
40. 40.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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