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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 658 · 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.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  2. 2.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  5. 5.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) insult the motion
  9. 9.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  15. 15.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  16. 16.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 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
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  21. 21.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “fair” (c) “important” (d) “interesting”
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  24. 24.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  26. 26.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  28. 28.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  30. 30.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  31. 31.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 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) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  36. 36.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  38. 38.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence

Answer key

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

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