Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 517 · 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) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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