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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 69 · 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.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “I beg to oppose.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “Whatever.”
  2. 2.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “The library’s record shows that…” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  4. 4.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “interesting” (b) “stupid” (c) “important” (d) “fair”
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) polite (b) impolite
  8. 8.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  9. 9.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  10. 10.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  13. 13.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  14. 14.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.💬 Polite or impolite? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  17. 17.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  18. 18.💬 Polite or impolite? “Only a fool would believe that.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  19. 19.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “you lot” (b) “those people” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “hey, you there”
  21. 21.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “That’s all, bye.” (d) “I beg to propose.”
  22. 22.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) greet judges, opponents (c) tell a long joke (d) start shouting
  24. 24.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  25. 25.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  26. 26.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  29. 29.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “I must disagree with the previous speaker, because…” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  38. 38.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  40. 40.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite

Answer key

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

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