Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 683 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
29. 29.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
37. 37.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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