Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 245 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion

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