Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 856 · 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) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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