Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 355 · 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 speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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