Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 291 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
9. 9.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
11. 11.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
14. 14.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
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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