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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 607 · 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? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  2. 2.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  7. 7.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  18. 18.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 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) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  23. 23.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  27. 27.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  32. 32.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) insult the motion
  34. 34.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  40. 40.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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