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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 221 · 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) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  2. 2.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “important” (c) “stupid” (d) “interesting”
  9. 9.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  11. 11.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  17. 17.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 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) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  25. 25.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.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
  31. 31.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  34. 34.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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