Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 374 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
9. 9.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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