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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 571 · 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.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a rhyme (b) facts that back a claim (c) a guess (d) your loudest point
  2. 2.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) strong (b) complete (c) weak (d) proven
  3. 3.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) a count of litter (b) “I feel it” (c) “dustbins are green” (d) “my friend agrees”
  4. 4.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) ends the debate (b) adds a new topic (c) links proof to the claim (d) repeats the claim
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  6. 6.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Hello, everyone…” (b) “Goodbye…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This shows that…”
  7. 7.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  8. 8.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  11. 11.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  14. 14.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  15. 15.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  18. 18.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a joke (b) the point you argue (c) the judges’ marks (d) a number you found
  19. 19.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  23. 23.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
  24. 24.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  26. 26.🧩 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
  27. 27.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  32. 32.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  33. 33.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
  34. 34.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  36. 36.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) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  38. 38.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  40. 40.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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