Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 723 · 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) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
36. 36.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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