Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 60 · 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 opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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