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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 756 · 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: “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
  2. 2.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  3. 3.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) repeats the claim (b) adds a new topic (c) ends the debate (d) links proof to the claim
  4. 4.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Goodbye…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “This shows that…”
  5. 5.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
  6. 6.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) True (b) False
  7. 7.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) strong (c) complete (d) proven
  8. 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  9. 9.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  11. 11.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  13. 13.True or false: “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  14. 14.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  15. 15.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  19. 19.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) a rhyme (d) facts that back a claim
  20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  22. 22.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  24. 24.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  25. 25.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) a joke (c) the judges’ marks (d) the point you argue
  26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  27. 27.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  28. 28.True or false: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.True or false: “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  30. 30.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “I feel it” (b) a count of litter (c) “dustbins are green” (d) “my friend agrees”
  31. 31.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
  32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  34. 34.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  35. 35.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  36. 36.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  37. 37.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  38. 38.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.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
  40. 40.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

Answer key

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

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