Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 611 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion

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