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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 490 · 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? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  3. 3.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  6. 6.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  10. 10.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) greet judges, opponents (c) insult the motion (d) tell a long joke
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  23. 23.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  26. 26.💬 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
  27. 27.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  32. 32.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  34. 34.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  36. 36.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”

Answer key

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

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