Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 514 · 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 must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.🔍 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
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words

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