Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 965 · 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) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
4. 4.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
37. 37.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
38. 38.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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