Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 513 · 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 prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
25. 25.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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