Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 838 · 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.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue

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