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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 67 · 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: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.💬 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
  3. 3.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “I beg to oppose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  4. 4.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “stupid” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “important”
  5. 5.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “That’s all, bye.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  7. 7.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
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  9. 9.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  14. 14.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) tell a long joke (c) start shouting (d) greet judges, opponents
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  22. 22.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  24. 24.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “you lot” (d) “my worthy opponents”
  26. 26.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  28. 28.💬 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) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  29. 29.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  31. 31.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 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) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  33. 33.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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