Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 915 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
24. 24.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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