Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 786 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
22. 22.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
29. 29.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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