Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 985 · 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.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
2. 2.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
7. 7.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
36. 36.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion

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