Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 708 · 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 side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (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.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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