Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 139 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
40. 40.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer

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