Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 747 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.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
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
27. 27.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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