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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 85 · 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? “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  2. 2.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) rebuts a point
  4. 4.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) gives evidence (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  5. 5.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  7. 7.💬 Which line can end an opposition speech? (a) “That’s all, bye.” (b) “Whatever.” (c) “Over and out.” (d) “I beg to oppose.”
  8. 8.💬 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) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  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: “May I offer a point of information?” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” (a) opens a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) closes a speech
  14. 14.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  16. 16.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “May I offer a point of information?” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  21. 21.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (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.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.True or false: “Let me begin by defining the motion.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  26. 26.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is an interesting point, but…” (a) impolite (b) polite
  27. 27.True or false: “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “For all these reasons, I urge you to support the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “those people” (b) “hey, you there” (c) “my worthy opponents” (d) “you lot”
  31. 31.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.True or false: “Respected judges, worthy opponents and dear friends…” closes a speech. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) insult the motion (b) start shouting (c) tell a long joke (d) greet judges, opponents
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Let me begin by defining the motion.” (a) closes a speech (b) gives evidence (c) rebuts a point (d) opens a speech
  37. 37.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  39. 39.True or false: “The other side says it is unsafe; in fact, it is safe with a teacher present.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” gives evidence. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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