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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 215 · 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.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  2. 2.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “you lot” (d) “hey, you there”
  6. 6.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  9. 9.💬 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
  10. 10.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  35. 35.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) greet judges, opponents (c) insult the motion (d) tell a long joke
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech

Answer key

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

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