← Claim, evidence and reasoning lesson New set →

Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 597 · 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: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  2. 2.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  3. 3.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
  4. 4.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) ends the debate (b) links proof to the claim (c) adds a new topic (d) repeats the claim
  5. 5.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a rhyme (b) facts that back a claim (c) your loudest point (d) a guess
  6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  7. 7.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Hello, everyone…” (c) “Goodbye…” (d) “This shows that…”
  8. 8.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  10. 10.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) complete (c) proven (d) strong
  11. 11.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) True (b) False
  12. 12.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) the judges’ marks (c) the point you argue (d) a joke
  14. 14.True or false: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  15. 15.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
  16. 16.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) True (b) False
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  19. 19.🧩 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
  20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  22. 22.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
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  24. 24.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.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
  26. 26.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “I feel it” (b) “dustbins are green” (c) “my friend agrees” (d) a count of litter
  27. 27.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  34. 34.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
  35. 35.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  37. 37.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
  38. 38.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  39. 39.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
  40. 40.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False

Answer key

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

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