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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 169 · 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.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  3. 3.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  4. 4.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “fair” (c) “important” (d) “interesting”
  5. 5.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  13. 13.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 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
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  16. 16.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 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
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  22. 22.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  27. 27.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.💬 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) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  30. 30.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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