Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 563 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
29. 29.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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