Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 462 · 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) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
2. 2.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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