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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 678 · 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.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “I beg to propose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “Over and out.”
  4. 4.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  5. 5.💬 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) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  6. 6.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  8. 8.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  10. 10.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  17. 17.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “I beg to oppose.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  18. 18.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  19. 19.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  22. 22.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 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) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  25. 25.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  30. 30.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) tell a long joke (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  31. 31.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Figures from the city water board show…” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (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: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) closes a speech (d) gives evidence
  40. 40.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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