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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 155 · 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.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
  2. 2.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) repeats the claim (b) ends the debate (c) adds a new topic (d) links proof to the claim
  3. 3.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) the point you argue (c) a number you found (d) a joke
  4. 4.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
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  6. 6.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.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
  8. 8.🧩 What is evidence? (a) facts that back a claim (b) your loudest point (c) a guess (d) a rhyme
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  10. 10.🧩 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
  11. 11.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  14. 14.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) strong (c) proven (d) complete
  15. 15.🧩 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
  16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  18. 18.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  19. 19.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  22. 22.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  24. 24.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.True or false: “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  26. 26.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  27. 27.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  28. 28.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “my friend agrees” (b) a count of litter (c) “dustbins are green” (d) “I feel it”
  30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  31. 31.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  34. 34.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  36. 36.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  37. 37.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.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
  40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning

Answer key

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

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