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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 651 · 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) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  2. 2.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  3. 3.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  4. 4.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  6. 6.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  7. 7.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  10. 10.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  13. 13.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  15. 15.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 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) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  21. 21.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) greet judges, opponents (d) tell a long joke
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  28. 28.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

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