Which of the following is NOT a type of evidence?

An explanation of why something matters

A statistic from a scientific study

Which of the following is an example of **reasoning**?

Since sleep deprivation reduces concentration, teenagers who sleep less will struggle in school

60% of teenagers do not get enough sleep

A teenager slept only 5 hours before a big test

What does the abbreviation **CER** stand for in writing?

Conclusion, Evidence, Reasoning

Read the following passage and identify the **claim**: *"Homework should be limited to 30 minutes per night. Research shows that excessive homework leads to stress. When students are stressed, they cannot retain information effectively."*

Homework should be limited to 30 minutes per night

Research shows that excessive homework leads to stress

When students are stressed, they cannot retain information effectively

Students need time to relax after school

Read the following passage and identify the **evidence**: *"Exercise is important for students. A study by the American Heart Association found that students who exercise for 60 minutes daily perform better academically. This shows that physical activity boosts brain function."*

A study by the American Heart Association found that students who exercise for 60 minutes daily perform better academically

Exercise is important for students

Physical activity boosts brain function

Students should exercise every day

Read the following passage and identify the **reasoning**: *"Plastic bags should be banned. In 2022, over 8 million tons of plastic entered the ocean. Since plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, banning plastic bags would significantly reduce long-term ocean pollution."*

Since plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, banning plastic bags would significantly reduce long-term ocean pollution

In 2022, over 8 million tons of plastic entered the ocean

Oceans are important ecosystems

A student writes: *"Video games are educational. Studies show that puzzle-based games improve problem-solving skills by 40%. This means that playing certain video games can help students think more critically."* Which sentence is the **evidence**?

Studies show that puzzle-based games improve problem-solving skills by 40%

This means that playing certain video games can help students think more critically

Students should play video games every day

Which of the following correctly matches each sentence to its role in an argument?

Claim: Zoos should be abolished; Evidence: A 2019 report found that 75% of zoo animals show signs of psychological distress; Reasoning: This data proves that captivity harms animals' well-being

Claim: A 2019 report found that 75% of zoo animals show signs of psychological distress; Evidence: Zoos should be abolished

Claim: This data proves that captivity harms animals' well-being; Evidence: Zoos should be abolished

Claim: Zoos should be abolished; Evidence: This data proves that captivity harms animals' well-being

A student writes the following argument: *"Schools should start later in the morning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle schoolers get 9 hours of sleep. Therefore, later start times would allow students to get the rest they need to succeed."* Which sentence is the **reasoning**?

Therefore, later start times would allow students to get the rest they need to succeed

Schools should start later in the morning

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle schoolers get 9 hours of sleep

Students are tired in the morning

Which of the following arguments has the **strongest** connection between evidence and reasoning?

Claim: Students should drink more water. Evidence: A study shows dehydration reduces focus by 20%. Reasoning: Since dehydration impairs concentration, drinking more water would help students stay focused in class.

Claim: Cats are better pets. Evidence: Cats purr. Reasoning: Purring is a nice sound.

Claim: Music is important. Evidence: Many people like music. Reasoning: Therefore, music is good.

Claim: Dogs are loyal. Evidence: Dogs wag their tails. Reasoning: Tail wagging means dogs are happy.

A student writes: *"Junk food should not be sold in schools."* Which of the following would be the **best evidence** to support this claim?

A health study found that students who eat junk food regularly have a 30% higher rate of obesity

Many students enjoy eating chips and candy

Junk food tastes good but is not healthy

Schools should care about students' health

Which of the following arguments is **missing reasoning**?

Claim: Recycling is important. Evidence: Americans throw away 80 million tons of recyclable material each year.

Claim: Trees are important. Evidence: Forests absorb 2.6 billion tons of CO2 per year. Reasoning: Since CO2 contributes to climate change, protecting forests helps slow global warming.

Claim: Students should learn coding. Evidence: 70% of future jobs will require digital skills. Reasoning: Learning coding now prepares students for careers in a technology-driven world.

Claim: Reading is beneficial. Evidence: Students who read 20 minutes a day score in the 90th percentile on tests. Reasoning: Daily reading builds vocabulary and comprehension, leading to better academic performance.

Read the following argument and evaluate its **weakness**: *"Students should not use phones in school. My friend got distracted by his phone once. Therefore, phones are bad for everyone."*

The evidence is a single personal anecdote, which is too weak to support the claim for all students

The evidence is too broad and applies to too many people

A student wants to argue that *"climate change is caused by human activity."* Which combination of evidence and reasoning **best** supports this claim?

Evidence: NASA data shows CO2 levels have increased by 50% since the Industrial Revolution. Reasoning: Since the Industrial Revolution marked the rise of fossil fuel use, the increase in CO2 is directly linked to human industrial activity.

Evidence: The weather has been strange lately. Reasoning: Strange weather means humans are causing climate change.

Evidence: Some scientists believe in climate change. Reasoning: If scientists believe it, it must be true.

Evidence: Summers are getting hotter. Reasoning: Hot summers prove humans are responsible.

Read the following argument: *"Students who participate in extracurricular activities perform better in school. Research shows that students involved in sports or clubs have a GPA that is 0.5 points higher on average than those who are not. Being part of a team or group teaches time management and discipline, which are skills that directly improve academic performance."* Which of the following **best** explains why this is a strong argument?

The claim is supported by specific data, and the reasoning clearly explains how the evidence connects to the claim

The claim is interesting and the evidence is long

The argument uses difficult vocabulary

The reasoning repeats the evidence, making it easy to understand

A student writes the following argument: *"Deforestation is a serious problem. Trees are being cut down every day. We should stop cutting trees."* What is the **biggest flaw** in this argument?

The evidence is vague and does not include specific data or facts to support the claim

The argument has too much reasoning

Which of the following arguments uses **reasoning** most effectively to connect evidence to the claim?

Claim: Students should sleep more. Evidence: Studies show that students who sleep 8-9 hours score 20% higher on memory tests. Reasoning: Since memory is essential for learning and retaining information, getting adequate sleep directly improves students' ability to succeed academically.

Claim: Students should sleep more. Evidence: Sleep is important. Reasoning: That is why students should sleep.

Claim: Students should sleep more. Evidence: I always feel better after sleeping. Reasoning: Feeling better helps you do well in school.

Claim: Students should sleep more. Evidence: Doctors say sleep is good. Reasoning: Doctors know best, so students should listen.

A student is writing an argument about whether *"school lunches should be free for all students."* They write: *"Free school lunches would improve student performance. Studies show that students who eat breakfast and lunch perform 25% better on standardized tests."* What should the student add to **complete** the CER argument?

Reasoning that explains how access to free lunches connects to improved academic performance

Another claim stating that lunches are expensive

More evidence about what foods are served in schools

A counterargument about why lunches should not be free

Identifying Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning

Authored by Mark Palmer

Science

7th Grade

NGSS covered

Used 1+ times

Identifying Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning

AI Actions

Add similar questions

Adjust reading levels

Convert to real-world scenario

Translate activity

More...

Content View

Student View

27 questions

Show all answers

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is a claim in an argument?

Data or facts that support an idea

A statement that tells what you believe or think is true

An explanation of how the evidence connects to the idea

A question that needs to be answered

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is evidence in an argument?

A personal opinion with no support

The conclusion of an argument

Facts, data, or examples that support a claim

An explanation of why something is true

What is reasoning in an argument?

A statement of what you believe

The explanation that connects evidence to the claim

A fact taken from a textbook

A question asked to the audience

Which of the following is an example of a claim?

Studies show that 70% of students who read daily score higher on tests

Reading every day improves academic performance

Because reading builds vocabulary, students perform better

A student read for 30 minutes each night last week

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following best describes the role of reasoning in an argument?

It provides numbers and statistics

It states the main idea of the argument

It explains why the evidence supports the claim

It lists examples from real life

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following is an example of evidence?

School uniforms are a good idea

Uniforms help students focus because they remove distractions

A study found that schools with uniforms had a 15% increase in attendance

Students should be allowed to wear what they want

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which term refers to the part of an argument that makes a debatable statement?

Evidence

Reasoning

Claim

Conclusion

Access all questions and much more by creating a free account

Create resources

Host any resource

Get auto-graded reports

Continue with Google

Continue with Email

Continue with Classlink

Continue with Clever

or continue with

Microsoft

Apple

Others

Already have an account?

Popular Resources on Wayground

16 questions

Grade 3 Simulation Assessment 2

Quiz

•

3rd Grade

19 questions

HCS Grade 5 Simulation Assessment_1 2526sy

Quiz

•

5th Grade

10 questions

Cinco de Mayo Trivia Questions

Interactive video

•

3rd - 5th Grade

17 questions

HCS Grade 4 Simulation Assessment_2 2526sy

Quiz

•

4th Grade

24 questions

HCS Grade 5 Simulation Assessment_2 2526sy

Quiz

•

5th Grade

13 questions

Cinco de mayo

Interactive video

•

6th - 8th Grade

20 questions

Math Review

Quiz

•

3rd Grade

30 questions

GVMS House Trivia 2026

Quiz

•

6th - 8th Grade

Discover more resources for Science

16 questions

Interactions within Ecosystems

Presentation

•

6th - 8th Grade

20 questions

genetics, punnett squares, heredity

Quiz

•

7th Grade

16 questions

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Review

Quiz

•

7th Grade

20 questions

Food Webs + Energy Pyramids

Quiz

•

7th Grade

10 questions

Exploring the Rock Cycle

Interactive video

•

6th - 8th Grade

10 questions

Exploring Earth's Seasons and Their Causes

Interactive video

•

6th - 8th Grade

26 questions

Amplify Chemical Reactions

Quiz

•

6th - 8th Grade

19 questions

Natural and Artificial Selection

Quiz

•

7th Grade