Formal Debates · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Taking Part in a Formal Debate

English · Speaking & Listening · ages 12-14
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which sentence starter does the lesson suggest just before you disagree with someone?

    • 'Anyway, back to my idea...'
    • 'So your point is...'
    • 'That makes no sense, and...'

  2. What is a formal debate?

    • A structured argument between two sides who take turns and follow the same rules
    • A loud quarrel where the strongest voice wins
    • A speech one person gives alone on a stage

  3. You want to build on a teammate's idea in a debate. Which starter does the lesson suggest?

    • 'Maya got it wrong, because...'
    • 'Forget what Maya said...'
    • 'Building on what Maya said...'

  4. In a formal debate, each side can speak whenever it wants.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. A debater says, 'Schools should start later,' but gives no evidence. What is missing from the argument?

    • Evidence to support the claim
    • A clear claim
    • A formal voice

  6. Maria disagrees with Tom's point about school uniforms. She starts by saying, 'So you're saying uniforms save families money.' What is Maria doing?

    • Repeating her own claim
    • Changing the subject
    • Summarising his point fairly before responding

  7. Omar argues that the school library should open on weekends, because students need quiet study space. Jamal begins his reply: 'So your point is that quiet study space matters most.' What should Jamal do next?

    • Ask the judge to end the debate
    • Repeat his own claim from the start
    • Give his counterargument to Omar's point

  8. A full debate turn has four moves: claim, evidence, summarise, counter. Hana states her claim, gives her evidence, and then counters without summarising the other side. How many of the four moves did Hana complete?

    Answer: ______________

  9. Mid-debate, the other side presents a study you have never heard before. It seems to support their case well. What is the best response?

    • Ignore it and deliver your prepared speech exactly as planned
    • Summarise their new point fairly, then answer it as best you can
    • Say their study is wrong without knowing anything about it

  10. A speaker says, 'Later starts help teenagers focus, but buses and after-school jobs also need to fit the schedule.' Which is the fairest summary of their point?

    • 'So you are saying buses matter more than teenagers.'
    • 'So your point is that later starts help focus, and the timing also has to work for buses and jobs.'
    • 'So you think school should never change at all.'
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Taking Part in a Formal Debate W1-mt_Yrjn8jAt1c-s1

  1. 'So your point is...' · Starting with 'So your point is...' shows you listened, and it makes your counterargument land harder.
  2. A structured argument between two sides who take turns and follow the same rules · A formal debate is a structured argument between two sides. Everyone takes turns and follows the same rules, so it stays fair.
  3. 'Building on what Maya said...' · Naming the speaker and their idea, as in 'Building on what Maya said...', keeps the debate connected before you extend, question, or challenge it.
  4. False · In a formal debate each side takes turns, and everyone follows the same rules. That is what keeps the discussion fair.
  5. Evidence to support the claim · A claim without evidence is not convincing. Evidence makes a position solid.
  6. Summarising his point fairly before responding · Maria restates Tom's point in her own words before she offers her counterargument.
  7. Give his counterargument to Omar's point · After a fair summary comes the counterargument. Jamal has summarised Omar's point, so his next move is to counter it.
  8. 3 · Hana made her claim, gave evidence, and countered. She skipped the summary, so she completed 3 of the 4 moves.
  9. Summarise their new point fairly, then answer it as best you can · A debate means responding to what the other side actually said, even when it surprises you. Summarise the new point fairly, then give your best answer.
  10. 'So your point is that later starts help focus, and the timing also has to work for buses and jobs.' · A fair summary keeps both halves of the speaker's point. The other choices twist their words into something they never said.
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