Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 636 · 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 is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience

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