Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 506 · 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 may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
36. 36.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
38. 38.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion

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