Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 92 · 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) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
23. 23.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
34. 34.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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