Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 653 · 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 says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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