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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 262 · 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? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  5. 5.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  18. 18.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) insult the motion (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  24. 24.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  35. 35.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 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) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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