Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 824 · 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 side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.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
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
18. 18.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
23. 23.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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