Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 664 · 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.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
26. 26.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
27. 27.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion

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