Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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