Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 157 · 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 would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
24. 24.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) may test the definition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
35. 35.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
40. 40.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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