Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 918 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.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) speaks first
23. 23.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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