Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 154 · 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) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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