Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 515 · 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 proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
19. 19.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
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 start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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