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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 750 · 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 tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  2. 2.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  4. 4.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  5. 5.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  6. 6.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  7. 7.🧩 What is evidence? (a) facts that back a claim (b) your loudest point (c) a rhyme (d) a guess
  8. 8.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  10. 10.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) proven (b) weak (c) strong (d) complete
  11. 11.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  14. 14.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
  15. 15.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) repeats the claim (b) links proof to the claim (c) adds a new topic (d) ends the debate
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  19. 19.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  20. 20.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  23. 23.True or false: “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  25. 25.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.🧩 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
  27. 27.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  28. 28.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
  29. 29.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “This shows that…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “Goodbye…”
  31. 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  32. 32.True or false: “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  34. 34.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  35. 35.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  36. 36.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) the point you argue (c) the judges’ marks (d) a joke
  37. 37.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  39. 39.🧩 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”
  40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence

Answer key

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

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