Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 823 · 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) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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