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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 439 · 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.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  17. 17.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  21. 21.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.💬 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
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  29. 29.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.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
  31. 31.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  40. 40.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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