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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 662 · 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? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “fair” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “interesting”
  7. 7.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  8. 8.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  12. 12.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  17. 17.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  18. 18.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) greet judges, opponents (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) insult the motion
  19. 19.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 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
  21. 21.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  25. 25.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  27. 27.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 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) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  37. 37.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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