← Claim, evidence and reasoning lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 532 · 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) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Hello, everyone…” (c) “Goodbye…” (d) “This shows that…”
  2. 2.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “I feel it” (b) “my friend agrees” (c) a count of litter (d) “dustbins are green”
  3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  4. 4.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  7. 7.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) facts that back a claim (c) a rhyme (d) a guess
  8. 8.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  11. 11.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a joke (b) a number you found (c) the point you argue (d) the judges’ marks
  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.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  14. 14.True or false: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.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
  16. 16.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.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
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  19. 19.🧩 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
  20. 20.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  22. 22.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  23. 23.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  27. 27.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  30. 30.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
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  33. 33.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  34. 34.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  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: “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
  37. 37.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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