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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 303 · 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 respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  5. 5.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  7. 7.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “fair” (c) “stupid” (d) “interesting”
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  11. 11.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  14. 14.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) insult the motion
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  19. 19.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.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
  37. 37.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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