Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 853 · 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 side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
18. 18.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
20. 20.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words

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