Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 383 · 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 proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
12. 12.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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