Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 807 · 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 side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion

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