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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 521 · 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) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  15. 15.💬 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
  16. 16.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  20. 20.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “important”
  22. 22.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  25. 25.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  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.💬 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
  34. 34.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  37. 37.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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