Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 837 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
24. 24.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
27. 27.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
35. 35.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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