Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 304 · 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 proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
18. 18.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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