Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 248 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
22. 22.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
23. 23.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
30. 30.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion

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