Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 782 · 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 would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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