Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 643 · 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) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
36. 36.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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