Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 906 · 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 may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
35. 35.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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