Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 721 · 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 proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not 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 oppose” (d) is for the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
35. 35.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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