Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 76 · 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.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) the point you argue (c) the judges’ marks (d) a joke
2. 2.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a rhyme (c) a guess (d) facts that back a claim
3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
4. 4.True or false: “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🧩 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
6. 6.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
7. 7.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “dustbins are green” (b) “my friend agrees” (c) a count of litter (d) “I feel it”
10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
11. 11.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) repeats the claim (b) adds a new topic (c) ends the debate (d) links proof to the claim
13. 13.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This shows that…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
14. 14.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) proven (b) complete (c) weak (d) strong
16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
19. 19.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
20. 20.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
21. 21.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
23. 23.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) False (b) True
24. 24.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) False (b) True
25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
26. 26.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
30. 30.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
31. 31.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
33. 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
34. 34.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
35. 35.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.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
37. 37.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🧩 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
39. 39.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
40. 40.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False

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