Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 598 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
4. 4.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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