Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 569 · 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 would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition

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