Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 851 · 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 for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
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 of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”

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