Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 317 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
2. 2.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion

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