Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 911 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
26. 26.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition

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