Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 606 · 40 questions

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…”.

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

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