Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 567 · 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.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
28. 28.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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