Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 257 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
22. 22.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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