Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 101 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Claim → evidence → reasoning): Claim: the point being argued — often a “should” sentence. Evidence: a fact, number, record or example that can be checked. Reasoning: explains how the evidence proves the claim — it often begins “This shows that…”, “So…” or “That means…”.

1. 1.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
4. 4.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
5. 5.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.True or false: “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
11. 11.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) the point you argue (c) a number you found (d) a joke
12. 12.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) strong (b) complete (c) weak (d) proven
13. 13.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
17. 17.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “my friend agrees” (b) “I feel it” (c) “dustbins are green” (d) a count of litter
18. 18.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) links proof to the claim (b) ends the debate (c) adds a new topic (d) repeats the claim
20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
21. 21.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) facts that back a claim (c) a guess (d) a rhyme
22. 22.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
25. 25.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
30. 30.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
32. 32.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
35. 35.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
37. 37.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students