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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 494 · 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 a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  2. 2.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 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
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “stupid” (d) “fair”
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.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
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) insult the motion (c) start shouting (d) tell a long joke
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  23. 23.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  26. 26.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 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) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  32. 32.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “you lot” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  36. 36.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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