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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 605 · 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.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) strong (b) complete (c) weak (d) proven
  2. 2.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) a joke (c) a number you found (d) the point you argue
  3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  4. 4.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) a count of litter (b) “my friend agrees” (c) “I feel it” (d) “dustbins are green”
  5. 5.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a guess (b) your loudest point (c) facts that back a claim (d) a rhyme
  6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  7. 7.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “This shows that…” (b) “Goodbye…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  11. 11.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  12. 12.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
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  14. 14.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) links proof to the claim (b) ends the debate (c) repeats the claim (d) adds a new topic
  15. 15.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
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  19. 19.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  20. 20.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  24. 24.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  27. 27.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  30. 30.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
  31. 31.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  33. 33.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  34. 34.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  35. 35.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.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
  37. 37.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) True (b) False
  38. 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. 39.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim

Answer key

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

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