Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 202 · 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) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
12. 12.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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