Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 755 · 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) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
31. 31.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”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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