Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 400 · 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) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
31. 31.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
35. 35.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”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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