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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 621 · 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.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  4. 4.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 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
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
  9. 9.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  14. 14.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 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) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  19. 19.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “fair” (c) “interesting” (d) “stupid”
  21. 21.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  31. 31.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  34. 34.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence

Answer key

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

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