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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 343 · 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) “my worthy opponents” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “those people”
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  8. 8.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  12. 12.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “fair” (c) “interesting” (d) “important”
  15. 15.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  32. 32.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  33. 33.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  36. 36.💬 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
  37. 37.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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