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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 528 · 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? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  3. 3.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  8. 8.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 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
  11. 11.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  14. 14.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 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
  16. 16.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  17. 17.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) start shouting (d) tell a long joke
  24. 24.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  28. 28.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  35. 35.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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