Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 303 · 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 proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
36. 36.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) is against the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”

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