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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 659 · 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 due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  3. 3.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  4. 4.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) start shouting (c) insult the motion (d) tell a long joke
  13. 13.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  15. 15.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  17. 17.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 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
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  20. 20.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “Over and out.”
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 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) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  26. 26.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “stupid” (c) “fair” (d) “interesting”
  33. 33.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  36. 36.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  40. 40.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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