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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 179 · 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.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 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) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  11. 11.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  12. 12.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  16. 16.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  17. 17.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  20. 20.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  22. 22.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  25. 25.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 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) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  27. 27.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 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) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  34. 34.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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