Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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