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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 58 · 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: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) insult the motion (c) tell a long joke (d) start shouting
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  13. 13.💬 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) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  14. 14.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  18. 18.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  22. 22.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 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
  30. 30.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  32. 32.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “Over and out.”
  33. 33.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
  34. 34.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 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) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  36. 36.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  39. 39.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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