Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 390 · 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) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
20. 20.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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