Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 367 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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