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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 531 · 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) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  2. 2.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  3. 3.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  9. 9.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  12. 12.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “interesting”
  13. 13.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  18. 18.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 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) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  22. 22.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 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
  26. 26.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  30. 30.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  32. 32.💬 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
  33. 33.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 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) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point

Answer key

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

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