Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 368 · 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) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
19. 19.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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