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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 479 · 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 an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  2. 2.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  5. 5.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
  6. 6.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  11. 11.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  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: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  19. 19.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  34. 34.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  36. 36.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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