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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 622 · 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: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “those people” (d) “you lot”
  4. 4.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) start shouting (c) insult the motion (d) tell a long joke
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “fair” (c) “interesting” (d) “stupid”
  13. 13.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 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) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  21. 21.💬 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) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.💬 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
  23. 23.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  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) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  31. 31.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  34. 34.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.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
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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