Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 242 · 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) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
9. 9.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”
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition

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