Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 934 · 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) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
9. 9.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
15. 15.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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