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? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
- 2.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) ends the debate (b) repeats the claim (c) adds a new topic (d) links proof to the claim
- 3.True or false: “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
- 4.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) strong (c) proven (d) complete
- 5.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) facts that back a claim (c) a guess (d) a rhyme
- 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
- 7.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
- 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
- 9.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) a joke (c) the point you argue (d) the judges’ marks
- 10.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
- 11.🧩 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
- 12.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
- 13.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This shows that…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
- 14.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
- 15.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
- 16.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
- 17.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
- 18.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 19.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
- 21.🧩 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”
- 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
- 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
- 24.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
- 25.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
- 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
- 27.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) True (b) False
- 28.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
- 29.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
- 30.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 31.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
- 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
- 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
- 34.🧩 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
- 35.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
- 36.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
- 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
- 38.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
- 39.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
- 40.True or false: “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
Answer key
- a claim
- links proof to the claim
- True
- weak
- facts that back a claim
- a claim
- reasoning
- reasoning
- the point you argue
- True
- evidence
- True
- “This shows that…”
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- False
- a claim
- a count of litter
- evidence
- evidence
- False
- False
- a claim
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- a claim
- reasoning
- evidence
- False
- True
- a claim
- False
- True
- False
Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students