Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 509 · 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 oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
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 summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”

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