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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 313 · 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.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  2. 2.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  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) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  7. 7.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 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
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  13. 13.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  22. 22.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  25. 25.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  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: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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