Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 536 · 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.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
2. 2.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
7. 7.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 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
27. 27.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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