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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 270 · 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.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “Over and out.”
  3. 3.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  11. 11.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) tell a long joke
  14. 14.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  19. 19.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  26. 26.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “fair” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  29. 29.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  31. 31.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  33. 33.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (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? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (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? “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  40. 40.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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