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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 127 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  6. 6.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  24. 24.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) start shouting
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “those people”
  34. 34.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point

Answer key

  1. opens a speech
  2. impolite
  3. False
  4. closes a speech
  5. rebuts a point
  6. True
  7. False
  8. True
  9. True
  10. “I beg to propose.”
  11. impolite
  12. “I beg to oppose.”
  13. impolite
  14. False
  15. True
  16. False
  17. polite
  18. False
  19. False
  20. True
  21. closes a speech
  22. True
  23. opens a speech
  24. greet judges, opponents
  25. polite
  26. False
  27. polite
  28. impolite
  29. True
  30. True
  31. polite
  32. False
  33. “my worthy opponents”
  34. False
  35. polite
  36. False
  37. opens a speech
  38. True
  39. rebuts a point
  40. gives evidence

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