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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 566 · 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.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  12. 12.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “fair” (c) “important” (d) “stupid”
  13. 13.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  20. 20.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  25. 25.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  26. 26.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.💬 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) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 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
  33. 33.💬 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
  34. 34.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  39. 39.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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