Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 347 · 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) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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