Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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