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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 355 · 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.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  2. 2.💬 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
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  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.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  7. 7.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” 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.💬 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
  12. 12.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  18. 18.💬 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) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  22. 22.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “those people” (c) “you lot” (d) “hey, you there”
  24. 24.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  33. 33.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  37. 37.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) insult the motion
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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