Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 713 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
33. 33.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion

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