← Polite debating phrases lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 664 · 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: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  3. 3.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 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) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  6. 6.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  19. 19.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  25. 25.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “The library’s record shows that…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  33. 33.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite

Answer key

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

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students