Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 798 · 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.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
40. 40.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

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