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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 165 · 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.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) insult the motion (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  2. 2.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  5. 5.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  10. 10.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  12. 12.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  14. 14.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  15. 15.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  18. 18.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  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) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  30. 30.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  32. 32.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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