Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 440 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
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 a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
27. 27.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion

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