Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 744 · 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 oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
28. 28.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
40. 40.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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