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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 297 · 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: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 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) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  3. 3.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  7. 7.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  9. 9.💬 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
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  11. 11.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  14. 14.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “you lot” (d) “hey, you there”
  15. 15.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  19. 19.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) greet judges, opponents (c) insult the motion (d) start shouting
  20. 20.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  32. 32.💬 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
  33. 33.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  34. 34.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  38. 38.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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