Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 87 · 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.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
25. 25.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.🔍 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”
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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