Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 974 · 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) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.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) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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