Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 176 · 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 side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
3. 3.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
15. 15.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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