Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 857 · 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 propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
30. 30.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) is against the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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