Lesson T4.2.1

T4.2.1 Formal debates Quiz: KS3 English, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T4.2.1, Formal debates: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 English (National Curriculum), Unit 4: Spoken English, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is a formal debate?

    • A written report on a topic that is shared among a group of people in a school library.
    • A structured contest where speakers argue for or against a motion, often with a chair and timed speeches.
    • A reading in which a group of actors performs a script aloud for an audience in a theatre.
    • A casual chat between friends in which each person shares their personal opinions without any rules.

  2. What is a motion in a formal debate?

    • The timer that signals to speakers when their time for speaking has come to an end.
    • The statement that speakers are asked to argue for or against during the debate.
    • The final vote of the audience at the very end of the debate in the hall.
    • The physical movement made by a speaker as they walk to the front of the room.

  3. Which role in a formal debate keeps order and calls speakers in turn?

    • The chair, who manages the debate, keeps time and calls speakers to speak in turn.
    • The timekeeper, who only watches the clock and does not manage the order of speakers.
    • The proposer, who argues in favour of the motion and gives the first speech of the debate.
    • The opposer, who argues against the motion and responds to the points made by proposers.

  4. What does a proposer do in a formal debate?

    • Keeps the time and makes sure that all speakers finish their speeches on schedule.
    • Argues against the motion, setting out the case and reasons to reject it instead.
    • Argues in favour of the motion, setting out the case and reasons for it.
    • Records the votes of the audience and announces the result at the end of the debate.

  5. Why is it important for debaters to use evidence in a formal debate?

    • Evidence is not allowed in debates, so debaters should rely only on their feelings.
    • Evidence makes arguments more persuasive and shows that claims are grounded in fact.
    • Evidence means that the debate must end immediately, because the question has been answered.
    • Evidence is needed only for the chair, so that the chair can calculate the final score.

  6. What is a rebuttal in a formal debate?

    • A short summary of the motion read aloud at the start of the debate to the audience.
    • A response that challenges and answers an argument made by the other side.
    • A question asked by the chair to check that every speaker has understood the motion.
    • A repeated statement of the speaker's own opinion, with no response to anyone else.

  7. Why might a debater ask a question of the opposing side during a debate?

    • To show that the debater has forgotten the motion and needs to ask what it means.
    • To make the opposing side stop speaking for the rest of the debate and lose the vote.
    • To challenge the logic of their argument or to expose a weakness in it.
    • To change the motion so that the debate is about a different topic entirely.

  8. Which feature is typical of a persuasive debate speech?

    • A poem recited to the audience to show how the speaker feels about the motion.
    • Only a personal story with no claim, reasons or evidence at any point in the speech.
    • A list of questions with no answers, which leaves the audience to decide the motion alone.
    • A clear claim, supported with reasons and evidence, and responses to the other side.

  9. Why must debaters listen carefully during a formal debate?

    • They should listen only to the audience, not to the other speakers in the debate.
    • They do not need to listen, because the chair will always repeat the important points.
    • They should listen only so they can write down every word for the final written report.
    • They need to respond to what was actually said, rather than to what they expected to hear.

  10. What does 'summarising' mean in a formal debate?

    • Ignoring the other side entirely so that the debate ends with one opinion left standing.
    • Briefly restating the main points of the debate to show how the argument has developed.
    • Reading out the motion without explanation so that the audience can vote on it straight away.
    • Repeating every single word spoken during the debate, so that nothing is missed by anyone.

  11. Which phrase is the most appropriate way to open a formal debate speech?

    • Hey, I'm just going to say whatever comes into my head, so bear with me, sorry.
    • Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to propose the motion before the House this afternoon.
    • Yo, what's up, guys, this motion is so boring, let's just get it over with quickly.
    • Oi, right, I've got a few things to say about this, so pay attention, everyone, yeah.

  12. What is the purpose of a vote at the end of a formal debate?

    • To decide the outcome by showing which side the audience or house supports.
    • To give marks to the speakers for their clothing and general appearance during the event.
    • To choose the chair for the next debate so that the speakers can rotate in future rounds.
    • To check that the speakers have remembered their notes correctly at the very end.

  13. Which skill is most important for a debater when responding to an opponent?

    • Repeating the motion over and over so that the audience forgets what the opponent said.
    • Identifying the key claim the opponent made and addressing it directly.
    • Avoiding any mention of the opponent's points so that the audience cannot compare arguments.
    • Speaking loudly so that the opponent cannot finish their speech at all during the debate.

  14. What is a 'point of information' in some formal debates?

    • A printed handout given to the audience before the debate begins, listing all the facts.
    • A brief question or comment offered by a member of the other side during a speech.
    • A secret note passed between two speakers to change the motion during the debate.
    • A signal from the chair that the debate is over and the vote must now take place.

  15. Why is it useful for a debater to anticipate opposing arguments?

    • They can change the motion to one that nobody on the other side can argue against.
    • They can avoid thinking about the motion entirely, which makes the debate less stressful.
    • They can ignore the audience, because the opposing side will always decide the vote.
    • They can prepare a response in advance and make their own argument more robust.

  16. Which of these is a valid reason for supporting a motion?

    • Evidence shows that the policy reduced accidents in the area by a measurable amount.
    • The speaker's friends all agree with the motion, so it must be true for everyone at all.
    • The speaker is wearing a smart suit and has a very confident voice during the speech.
    • The motion sounds nice and the speaker likes the sound of the words used in it.

  17. What should a debater do if they are unsure of a fact during a debate?

    • State the fact as certain anyway, because the chair will not check it at any point.
    • Make up a statistic so that the argument sounds stronger to the audience listening.
    • Avoid stating it with false confidence and move on to a point they can support.
    • Shout at the opposing side until they stop asking questions about the fact at all.

  18. Why do debates usually have a time limit for each speech?

    • To reduce the length of the motion so that it can be written on a single card.
    • To keep the debate fair and organised so that each side has an equal chance to speak.
    • To stop the audience from voting, because the decision is always made by the timekeeper.
    • To make sure that only the fastest speakers are allowed to win the debate in the end.

  19. What is a common feature of a closing speech in a formal debate?

    • A summary of the key clashes, with a reason why the speaker's side has won them.
    • A personal request for the audience to leave the hall before the vote is taken at all.
    • A brand-new argument that was never mentioned earlier, so the other side cannot reply to it.
    • A reading of the rules of the debate, without any reference to the arguments made earlier.

  20. What does it mean to 'clash' with an opponent's argument in a debate?

    • To move to the opposite side of the room from where the opponent is standing and speaking.
    • To speak at the same time as the opponent, so that neither speaker can be heard at all.
    • To agree with everything the opponent says, so that the debate ends without any disagreement.
    • To directly challenge a specific point the opponent has made, showing where they disagree.

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