Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 951 · 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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the topic statement
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
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 summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition

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