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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 797 · 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? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  2. 2.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) facts that back a claim (d) a rhyme
  3. 3.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) a number you found (c) the point you argue (d) a joke
  4. 4.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
  5. 5.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) complete (b) weak (c) proven (d) strong
  6. 6.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “dustbins are green” (b) a count of litter (c) “my friend agrees” (d) “I feel it”
  7. 7.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
  8. 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  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.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
  12. 12.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
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  14. 14.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  15. 15.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  18. 18.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should learn first aid.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  19. 19.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  20. 20.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  21. 21.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  23. 23.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  24. 24.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
  25. 25.True or false: “That means daily exercise really does make students fitter.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  26. 26.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
  27. 27.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
  28. 28.True or false: “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  29. 29.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Hello, everyone…” (c) “Goodbye…” (d) “This shows that…”
  30. 30.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
  31. 31.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  32. 32.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) adds a new topic (b) ends the debate (c) links proof to the claim (d) repeats the claim
  33. 33.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
  34. 34.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  35. 35.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  37. 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  38. 38.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  39. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim

Answer key

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

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