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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 492 · 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? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  7. 7.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “stupid” (c) “interesting” (d) “important”
  9. 9.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  13. 13.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) start shouting
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  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? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  28. 28.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  32. 32.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  35. 35.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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