Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 729 · 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) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition

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