Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 741 · 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.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.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
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words

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