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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 512 · 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.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  2. 2.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) greet judges, opponents (c) insult the motion (d) tell a long joke
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  5. 5.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “those people” (d) “hey, you there”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  8. 8.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  16. 16.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  19. 19.💬 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) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  21. 21.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  24. 24.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  31. 31.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  33. 33.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  35. 35.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 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
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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