Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 745 · 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) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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