Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 285 · 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.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
6. 6.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
17. 17.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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