Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 696 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
36. 36.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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