Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 335 · 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 side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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