Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 864 · 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) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.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) may test the definition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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