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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 603 · 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: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  5. 5.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  6. 6.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) insult the motion (c) greet judges, opponents (d) tell a long joke
  7. 7.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  13. 13.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
  16. 16.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  18. 18.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  20. 20.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  23. 23.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  26. 26.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  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) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  29. 29.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  32. 32.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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