Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 619 · 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 opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
22. 22.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
23. 23.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
31. 31.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion

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