Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 511 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
9. 9.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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