Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 489 · 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.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
2. 2.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
21. 21.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.🔍 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
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
24. 24.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges

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