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Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Debate lesson 1: Claim, evidence and reasoning · Set 92 · 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.🧩 What is evidence? (a) a rhyme (b) a guess (c) facts that back a claim (d) your loudest point
  2. 2.🧩 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
  3. 3.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  4. 4.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  5. 5.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  6. 6.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
  7. 7.True or false: “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  8. 8.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our school should have a library period every day.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  10. 10.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
  11. 11.True or false: “This suggests that chores teach children to plan their time.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
  12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our PE register shows fitness scores rose after daily games were tried for a term.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
  13. 13.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Children should help with chores at home.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
  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.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
  16. 16.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
  17. 17.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
  18. 18.🧩 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
  19. 19.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Hello, everyone…” (c) “This shows that…” (d) “Goodbye…”
  20. 20.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
  21. 21.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
  22. 22.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  23. 23.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  24. 24.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “I feel it” (b) “my friend agrees” (c) “dustbins are green” (d) a count of litter
  25. 25.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) strong (b) complete (c) weak (d) proven
  26. 26.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) the point you argue (c) a joke (d) the judges’ marks
  27. 27.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
  28. 28.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
  29. 29.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
  30. 30.True or false: “School canteens should serve more fruit.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
  31. 31.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
  32. 32.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
  33. 33.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
  34. 34.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
  35. 35.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
  36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) reasoning (b) a claim (c) evidence
  37. 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
  38. 38.True or false: “So a recycling corner could stop much of that waste.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
  39. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  40. 40.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) links proof to the claim (b) adds a new topic (c) ends the debate (d) repeats the claim

Answer key

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

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