Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 894 · 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) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
12. 12.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the topic statement (c) the winner’s prize (d) the timekeeper
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” 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) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
29. 29.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
34. 34.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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