Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 543 · 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) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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