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Debate Worksheet: Debating Phrases

Debate lesson 14: Polite debating phrases · Set 89 · 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) impolite (b) polite
  2. 2.True or false: “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” rebuts a point. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.💬 How should you begin a debate speech? (a) tell a long joke (b) start shouting (c) insult the motion (d) greet judges, opponents
  4. 4.True or false: “You clearly know nothing.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.💬 Which word should you never use about an opponent’s idea? (a) “important” (b) “interesting” (c) “fair” (d) “stupid”
  6. 6.💬 Polite or impolite? “You clearly know nothing.” (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.💬 Which line can end a proposition speech? (a) “Over and out.” (b) “I beg to propose.” (c) “Whatever.” (d) “That’s all, bye.”
  9. 9.💬 How do you address the other team politely? (a) “hey, you there” (b) “my worthy opponents” (c) “you lot” (d) “those people”
  10. 10.True or false: “I rest my case. Thank you.” opens a speech. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.💬 Polite or impolite? “Whatever. Next!” (a) polite (b) impolite
  12. 12.💬 Polite or impolite? “Stop talking, you are wrong!” (a) impolite (b) polite
  13. 13.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “According to our school survey, 30 of 40 students…” (a) closes a speech (b) rebuts a point (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  14. 14.💬 Polite or impolite? “I thank the previous speaker, and I would add…” (a) polite (b) impolite
  15. 15.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  16. 16.True or false: “With respect, the last speaker missed an important point.” rebuts a point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.💬 Polite or impolite? “May I offer a point of information?” (a) impolite (b) polite
  18. 18.True or false: “Figures from the city water board show…” gives evidence. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.True or false: “Today, my team will prove three things.” opens a speech. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Our science textbook tells us that…” (a) opens a speech (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) rebuts a point
  21. 21.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Today, my team will prove three things.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) opens a speech (d) closes a speech
  22. 22.💬 Polite or impolite? “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  23. 23.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “My worthy opponent claimed it costs too much, but the facts say otherwise.” (a) closes a speech (b) opens a speech (c) rebuts a point (d) gives evidence
  24. 24.💬 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
  25. 25.True or false: “That is an interesting point, but…” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “With due respect, the facts show otherwise.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “I rest my case. Thank you.” (a) rebuts a point (b) opens a speech (c) gives evidence (d) closes a speech
  29. 29.True or false: “I respectfully disagree with my opponent.” is a polite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.True or false: “Good morning. I stand here to speak for the motion.” closes a speech. (a) False (b) True
  31. 31.True or false: “Your team is just jealous.” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “Only a fool would believe that.” is an impolite debating line. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.💬 Polite or impolite? “My worthy opponent has raised a fair question.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  34. 34.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “Thank you, and I beg to propose.” (a) rebuts a point (b) closes a speech (c) gives evidence (d) opens a speech
  35. 35.💬 Polite or impolite? “That is the silliest idea ever.” (a) impolite (b) polite
  36. 36.True or false: “Stop talking, you are wrong!” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.💬 Polite or impolite? “Your team is just jealous.” (a) polite (b) impolite
  38. 38.True or false: “That is the silliest idea ever.” is a polite debating line. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.💬 What does this line do in a debate speech? “To sum up, we have shown three clear reasons.” (a) rebuts a point (b) gives evidence (c) closes a speech (d) opens a speech
  40. 40.True or false: “Whatever. Next!” is an impolite debating line. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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