Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 108 · 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.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
25. 25.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
36. 36.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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