Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 131 · 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) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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