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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 304 · 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.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (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) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “fair” (c) “stupid” (d) “interesting”
  6. 6.💬 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) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  9. 9.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 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
  24. 24.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  33. 33.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) insult the motion (c) greet judges, opponents (d) start shouting
  38. 38.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “Over and out.”
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence

Answer key

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

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