Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 524 · 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 side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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