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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 131 · 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? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 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) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  4. 4.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “fair” (c) “stupid” (d) “important”
  17. 17.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  21. 21.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) start shouting
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  39. 39.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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