← Polite debating phrases lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 167 · 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? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  2. 2.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “interesting”
  3. 3.💬 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
  4. 4.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  9. 9.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  13. 13.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “those people” (d) “hey, you there”
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  30. 30.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  32. 32.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  36. 36.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 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) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students