Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 415 · 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 opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
2. 2.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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