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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 483 · 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.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 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
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.💬 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) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  5. 5.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  6. 6.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  15. 15.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  19. 19.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  26. 26.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  31. 31.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  37. 37.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  39. 39.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “interesting” (d) “fair”
  40. 40.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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