Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 327 · 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) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
3. 3.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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