Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 684 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
18. 18.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
30. 30.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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