Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 784 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
16. 16.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
17. 17.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion

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