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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 322 · 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.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  2. 2.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  9. 9.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) greet judges, opponents (c) insult the motion (d) start shouting
  10. 10.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  11. 11.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  23. 23.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  26. 26.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “those people”
  29. 29.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  31. 31.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  34. 34.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” closes a speech. (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: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  38. 38.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  40. 40.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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