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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 132 · 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) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  2. 2.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  3. 3.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  9. 9.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  18. 18.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.💬 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
  23. 23.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  25. 25.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  31. 31.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  32. 32.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  33. 33.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  39. 39.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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