← Claim, evidence and reasoning lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 218 · 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.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) a joke (c) the judges’ marks (d) the point you argue
  2. 2.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  4. 4.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
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  7. 7.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
  8. 8.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
  9. 9.🧩 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
  10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  11. 11.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  13. 13.True or false: “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  14. 14.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
  15. 15.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) a count of litter (b) “dustbins are green” (c) “my friend agrees” (d) “I feel it”
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  18. 18.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a guess (b) your loudest point (c) facts that back a claim (d) a rhyme
  19. 19.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  20. 20.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
  21. 21.True or false: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  24. 24.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) strong (c) complete (d) proven
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  27. 27.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.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
  30. 30.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  34. 34.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) links proof to the claim (b) repeats the claim (c) ends the debate (d) adds a new topic
  35. 35.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  37. 37.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  39. 39.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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