← Claim, evidence and reasoning lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 312 · 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.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) proven (b) weak (c) strong (d) complete
  2. 2.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) a rhyme (d) facts that back a claim
  3. 3.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) True (b) False
  4. 4.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  5. 5.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “This shows that…” (b) “Hello, everyone…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Goodbye…”
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  10. 10.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  11. 11.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.🧩 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
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  14. 14.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) the point you argue (c) a number you found (d) a joke
  15. 15.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
  16. 16.True or false: “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.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
  18. 18.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “dustbins are green” (b) “I feel it” (c) “my friend agrees” (d) a count of litter
  19. 19.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  21. 21.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  22. 22.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  24. 24.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.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) False (b) True
  26. 26.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  27. 27.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  30. 30.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  32. 32.🧩 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
  33. 33.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.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
  35. 35.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
  36. 36.True or false: “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  38. 38.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning

Answer key

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

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