Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 391 · 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) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
4. 4.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
7. 7.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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