Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 379 · 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 would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
21. 21.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
36. 36.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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