Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 187 · 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 defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition

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