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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 391 · 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) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  2. 2.💬 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
  3. 3.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  5. 5.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  12. 12.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  13. 13.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  15. 15.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “stupid” (d) “fair”
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  23. 23.💬 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) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  24. 24.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 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
  27. 27.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.💬 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) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence

Answer key

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

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