Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 228 · 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 answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
4. 4.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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