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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 676 · 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: “Today, my team will prove three things.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Whatever.”
  3. 3.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  6. 6.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “important” (c) “stupid” (d) “fair”
  8. 8.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) insult the motion (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  9. 9.💬 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) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  10. 10.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  11. 11.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  13. 13.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  15. 15.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  21. 21.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  23. 23.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “my worthy opponents” (b) “you lot” (c) “those people” (d) “hey, you there”
  26. 26.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  30. 30.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.True or false: “Our science textbook tells us that…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  35. 35.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  39. 39.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  40. 40.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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