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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 645 · 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 an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  2. 2.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “fair” (c) “interesting” (d) “important”
  4. 4.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  6. 6.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  12. 12.💬 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
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  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: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  27. 27.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  29. 29.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  33. 33.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  39. 39.💬 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) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  40. 40.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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