Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 870 · 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) the point you argue (b) a number you found (c) a joke (d) the judges’ marks
2. 2.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “my friend agrees” (b) “I feel it” (c) “dustbins are green” (d) a count of litter
3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
4. 4.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) weak (b) strong (c) complete (d) proven
5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
6. 6.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.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
8. 8.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
9. 9.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
11. 11.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
14. 14.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
15. 15.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
16. 16.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.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
19. 19.🧩 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
20. 20.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Hello, everyone…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
21. 21.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
24. 24.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
27. 27.True or false: “Students should plant one tree every year.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
29. 29.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) False (b) True
30. 30.True or false: “Children should help with chores at home.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🧩 What is evidence? (a) facts that back a claim (b) your loudest point (c) a rhyme (d) a guess
35. 35.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
36. 36.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
37. 37.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
38. 38.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So planting trees really does make our campus greener.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
39. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
40. 40.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim

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