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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 242 · 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) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite 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) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  14. 14.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 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
  17. 17.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 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) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  26. 26.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
  27. 27.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) insult the motion (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  30. 30.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 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) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  38. 38.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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