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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 171 · 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 do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “those people”
  2. 2.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 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
  10. 10.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) insult the motion (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  11. 11.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  14. 14.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  20. 20.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  22. 22.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  28. 28.💬 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
  29. 29.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  30. 30.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  33. 33.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  35. 35.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  38. 38.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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