Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 791 · 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) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
12. 12.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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