Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 557 · 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 speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
19. 19.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
22. 22.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
36. 36.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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