Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 996 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
24. 24.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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