Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 973 · 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) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.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
7. 7.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
24. 24.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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