Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 848 · 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 speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion

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