Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 587 · 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 proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
10. 10.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
37. 37.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition

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