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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 374 · 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.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  12. 12.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  15. 15.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  19. 19.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) start shouting
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  28. 28.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  34. 34.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  37. 37.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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