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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 288 · 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: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  7. 7.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  8. 8.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  11. 11.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  13. 13.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  16. 16.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  18. 18.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  23. 23.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 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
  25. 25.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) greet judges, opponents (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  27. 27.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “important” (c) “stupid” (d) “interesting”
  28. 28.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  40. 40.💬 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

Answer key

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

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