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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 445 · 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.

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  1. 1.💬 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
  2. 2.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  3. 3.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  5. 5.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “those people” (d) “you lot”
  12. 12.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  17. 17.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  21. 21.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  27. 27.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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