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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 140 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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…”.

NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
  1. 1.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  2. 2.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  7. 7.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “dustbins are green” (b) a count of litter (c) “my friend agrees” (d) “I feel it”
  8. 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  9. 9.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  10. 10.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
  11. 11.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
  12. 12.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Hello, everyone…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Goodbye…” (d) “This shows that…”
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  14. 14.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) a number you found (c) a joke (d) the point you argue
  16. 16.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.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
  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? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  23. 23.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) proven (b) strong (c) complete (d) weak
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  26. 26.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.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) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  38. 38.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  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) reasoning (c) evidence

Answer key

  1. reasoning
  2. False
  3. False
  4. True
  5. evidence
  6. evidence
  7. a count of litter
  8. reasoning
  9. False
  10. False
  11. True
  12. “This shows that…”
  13. a claim
  14. True
  15. the point you argue
  16. True
  17. True
  18. False
  19. links proof to the claim
  20. evidence
  21. evidence
  22. reasoning
  23. True
  24. weak
  25. a claim
  26. True
  27. evidence
  28. a claim
  29. a claim
  30. a claim
  31. reasoning
  32. False
  33. False
  34. True
  35. False
  36. False
  37. a claim
  38. True
  39. True
  40. evidence

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