Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 91 · 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) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
9. 9.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
36. 36.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words

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