Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 601 · 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) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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