Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 743 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
8. 8.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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