Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 714 · 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) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
5. 5.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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