Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 926 · 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) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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