Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 889 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.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) may test the definition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
7. 7.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
15. 15.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
34. 34.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition

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