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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 686 · 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.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) start shouting (b) insult the motion (c) greet judges, opponents (d) tell a long joke
  2. 2.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “fair” (c) “stupid” (d) “important”
  5. 5.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  6. 6.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  8. 8.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  9. 9.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  10. 10.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  11. 11.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) rebuts a point
  12. 12.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “hey, you there” (d) “you lot”
  14. 14.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  16. 16.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Whatever.” (b) “Over and out.” (c) “I beg to propose.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  19. 19.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  20. 20.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  25. 25.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.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
  27. 27.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  29. 29.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) opens a speech (d) gives evidence
  30. 30.True or false: “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  34. 34.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) gives evidence (b) rebuts a point (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  39. 39.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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