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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 569 · 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: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  3. 3.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  4. 4.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “important” (c) “interesting” (d) “stupid”
  7. 7.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  9. 9.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  12. 12.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  19. 19.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
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  24. 24.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 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) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  33. 33.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.💬 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
  36. 36.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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