Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 40 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.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) answers the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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