Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 710 · 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.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.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
4. 4.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
7. 7.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
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 summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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