Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 239 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (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 oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
27. 27.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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