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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

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

Answer key

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

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