Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 296 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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