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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 292 · 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: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 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) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
  7. 7.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  11. 11.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.💬 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) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  18. 18.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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