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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 416 · 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) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  11. 11.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  14. 14.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) tell a long joke
  16. 16.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  24. 24.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 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) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  33. 33.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  35. 35.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  39. 39.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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