Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 324 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
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.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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