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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 580 · 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.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  2. 2.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  4. 4.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Whatever.”
  5. 5.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  10. 10.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) start shouting
  11. 11.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “those people” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  13. 13.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “stupid” (d) “fair”
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  30. 30.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  32. 32.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  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: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  37. 37.💬 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
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  39. 39.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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