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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 63 · 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.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  2. 2.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  3. 3.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) strong (b) complete (c) weak (d) proven
  4. 4.True or false: “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  6. 6.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) adds a new topic (b) links proof to the claim (c) ends the debate (d) repeats the claim
  7. 7.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  9. 9.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) a number you found (c) the point you argue (d) a joke
  10. 10.True or false: “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  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.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  14. 14.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  15. 15.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  17. 17.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  18. 18.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “I feel it” (b) “my friend agrees” (c) “dustbins are green” (d) a count of litter
  19. 19.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a rhyme (b) a guess (c) facts that back a claim (d) your loudest point
  20. 20.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “This shows that…” (b) “Goodbye…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  22. 22.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  24. 24.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  27. 27.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  28. 28.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  31. 31.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.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
  34. 34.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  35. 35.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  37. 37.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  39. 39.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) True (b) False
  40. 40.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True

Answer key

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

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