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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 63 · 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.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “you lot” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “those people”
  2. 2.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “important” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  7. 7.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  12. 12.💬 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
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  16. 16.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  18. 18.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  24. 24.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  27. 27.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  33. 33.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) greet judges, opponents (d) insult the motion
  35. 35.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence

Answer key

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

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