Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 318 · 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 words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
14. 14.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
21. 21.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
24. 24.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
27. 27.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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