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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 194 · 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) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  2. 2.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  8. 8.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  11. 11.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 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
  13. 13.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  16. 16.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  19. 19.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  22. 22.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 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) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  24. 24.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (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) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  28. 28.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  38. 38.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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