Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 660 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
9. 9.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
24. 24.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
33. 33.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition

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