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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 52 · 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 an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  2. 2.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  4. 4.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  7. 7.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “fair” (c) “stupid” (d) “important”
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (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? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  18. 18.💬 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) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 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) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  37. 37.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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