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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 347 · 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 should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  7. 7.💬 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) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  8. 8.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  13. 13.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  14. 14.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  21. 21.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  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.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  31. 31.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  35. 35.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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