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