Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 880 · 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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
18. 18.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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