Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 651 · 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) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) a hidden answer
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
17. 17.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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