Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 178 · 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 opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion

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