Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 728 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
25. 25.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
30. 30.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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