Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 115 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Disagree with respect): Open: “Respected judges, worthy opponents…”, “Let me begin by defining the motion.” Rebut: “With respect…”, “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…”. Evidence: “According to…”, “The record shows…”. Close: “For all these reasons…”, “I beg to propose / oppose.” Polite: disagree with the idea, respect the person.

1. 1.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
2. 2.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
5. 5.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
7. 7.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
12. 12.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
15. 15.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
18. 18.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
22. 22.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
23. 23.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
26. 26.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
28. 28.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) tell a long joke (c) greet judges, opponents (d) start shouting
29. 29.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
33. 33.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
34. 34.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
38. 38.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech

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