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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 536 · 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? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  3. 3.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  4. 4.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “interesting” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  9. 9.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  12. 12.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  15. 15.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  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) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  20. 20.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  33. 33.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  35. 35.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  37. 37.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  40. 40.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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