Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 193 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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