Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 812 · 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.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.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
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
37. 37.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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