Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 712 · 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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
26. 26.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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