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WorksheetsClaim-Evidence-Reasoning -and- Science & Engineering Practices
Total questions: 50
Worksheet time: 25mins
In the CER method, the claim is best described as:
The data collected from an experiment
The conclusion or answer to the question
The explanation that connects evidence to data
The background information used in the lab
Which of the following is an example of evidence?
A. “Plants need sunlight to grow.”
B. “The average plant grew 4 cm taller in sunlight than in shade.”
C. “I think plants prefer sunlight.”
D. “Without sunlight, plants cannot survive.”
In CER, the reasoning part:
States the final answer
Provides data without context
Connects the evidence to scientific principles
Makes a prediction for a new experiment
Why is it important to include reasoning in a scientific explanation?
To repeat the claim
To link evidence to accepted science concepts
To describe materials and methods
To make the answer longer
Which part of CER answers the question “How do you know?”
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Hypothesis
Which statement is a claim about density?
A. “We measured the mass and volume of the block.”
B. “The density of the block is 2.7 g/cm³.”
C. “Objects with more mass always sink.”
D. “The formula for density is mass ÷ volume.”
Which of the following is a strong explanation?
The object sank because it was heavy.
The object’s density was greater than water, so it sank.
The object should not float because it was solid.
The object fell to the bottom quickly.
Which is the best evidence for explaining why a chemical reaction occurred?
I saw bubbles and the test tube felt warm.
I expected the reaction to make bubbles.
Reactions always happen in science class.
The teacher said it was a reaction.
When scientists explain natural phenomena, they should rely on:
Observations and data
Personal opinions
Predictions only
Authority figures
Which statement shows reasoning that links data to science?
A. “The plant grew taller in sunlight.”
B. “Sunlight provides energy for photosynthesis, which helps plants grow taller.”
C. “The plant was watered every day.”
D. “I think the plant looked healthier.”
Which student response best uses evidence in an argument?
I don’t agree with you.
The data shows the temperature increased 5°C, supporting the claim.
You are wrong because I said so.
Why is arguing from evidence important in science?
It helps prove one person is smarter.
It uses data to support claims and convince others.
It makes experiments more fun.
It avoids having to explain reasoning.
Which is the weakest argument?
The ball rolled faster because the ramp was steeper, supported by the measured times.
The ball rolled faster because it looked like it.
The ball rolled faster because the stopwatch showed shorter times.
The ball rolled faster due to greater acceleration on the steeper ramp.
If two students disagree on results, what is the best first step?
Argue louder until one gives in
Re-examine and compare the evidence collected
Ask the teacher to pick a winner
Ignore the disagreement
A peer review response should focus on:
Judging how much effort the student put in
Identifying if the evidence supports the claim
Commenting on handwriting
Giving personal opinions unrelated to science
Which source is most reliable for supporting a science claim?
A random blog post with no author
A peer-reviewed scientific journal
A YouTube video with many likes
A personal story from a friend
Why is evaluating sources important in science?
To make sure the experiment is fun
To judge whether the information is trustworthy and accurate
To have more words in the report
Which statement shows effective communication of scientific results?
It worked.
The experiment was awesome.
The average plant in sunlight grew 6 cm taller than plants in shade, supporting the claim that light increases growth.
I liked doing this experiment.
Which of these best describes obtaining information?
Collecting data from experiments
Looking up and reading from reliable science sources
Writing the claim in CER
Deciding what to argue
Which of the following is a claim about climate change?
Over the past 100 years, global temperatures increased by about 1°C.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Human activities are causing climate change.
Many scientists have studied Earth’s temperature.
Which of the following is evidence supporting climate change?
A. “Ice sheets in Greenland have been shrinking in area and thickness.”
B. “People should recycle more.”
C. “I think winters feel shorter.”
D. “Climate change is unfair.”
Which is the reasoning that connects CO₂ emissions to global warming?
CO₂ is produced by cars.
CO₂ traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere, so increasing emissions raise global temperatures.
CO₂ is invisible.
A student reads an article saying climate change is a hoax. What should they do first?
Assume it’s true
Evaluate the reliability of the source and its evidence
Share it with friends on social media
Ignore all other evidence
Which of the following is NOT an example of communicating information effectively?
Making a graph to show patterns in data
Writing a clear explanation of results
Stating “I just know it’s true” without evidence
Presenting findings to classmates
What is the claim?
Fertilizer has no effect.
Fertilizer increases plant growth.
Fertilizer smells bad.
Plants always grow taller in summer.
What is the evidence?
“Plants with fertilizer grew 3 cm taller on average.”
“Fertilizer is sold in stores.”
“I think fertilizer helps.”
“The plants looked healthy.”
Which is the reasoning?
Fertilizer adds nutrients, which help plants make more food through photosynthesis, so they grow taller.
The fertilizer was green.
Plants without fertilizer did not survive.
It makes sense to me.
Which student made the strongest argument?
I know fertilizer helps because I garden at home.
Our data show fertilizer plants grew taller, and nutrients improve photosynthesis, so the claim is supported.
How could the students best communicate their results?
Post on social media without details
Share average growth data, graphs, and CER explanation in a class presentation
Say “fertilizer is great” in one sentence
Write down only the claim
Which is a weak reasoning statement?
Salt dissolves faster in hot water because molecules move faster at higher temperatures.
The salt dissolved faster, so hot water makes things dissolve quicker.
Salt dissolved faster in hot water than in cold water.
Molecules in hot water have more energy, speeding up dissolving.
A strong scientific argument should include:
A claim, evidence, and reasoning
Only opinions
A guess
A teacher’s statement
Which is NOT part of CER?
Hypothesis
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Which SEP involves sharing results in graphs, writing, or presentations?
SEP 6: Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
SEP 7: Engaging in argument from evidence
SEP 8: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
SEP 2: Developing and using models
A student says, “My claim is that sugar water freezes slower than plain water. My evidence is that the sugar water froze after 4 hours, but the plain water froze in 3 hours. My reasoning is that sugar lowers the freezing point of water.” Which best describes this?
Weak CER
Strong CER
No CER
Opinion only
Which is the weakest evidence?
The temperature rose by 2°C during the reaction.
The beaker got warm.
The thermometer reading increased from 20°C to 22°C.
The graph shows a rise in temperature.
When evaluating information, what should students check first?
Whether it supports their opinion
Whether the source is reliable and uses data
Whether it comes from social media
Whether it is short and simple
Which is the best example of clear communication of results?
“It worked like I thought it would.”
“The data show the car with larger wheels traveled 2 meters farther, supporting the claim that wheel size affects distance.”
“My car was the best.”
“The car went fast.”
Which of these is NOT evidence?
A. “The mass of the object was 25 g.”
B. “The object floated in water.”
Which reasoning best explains why an ice cube floats?
The ice cube is cold.
Ice has a lower density than liquid water, so it floats.
The ice cube is lighter than water.
The ice cube is made of frozen water.
A student says, “I think the ramp angle affects speed, and my data show the ball rolled faster on the steeper ramp. This supports my claim.” What’s missing?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Nothing—it’s complete CER
Which of these is the best claim about ecosystems?
A. “The deer population decreased when the wolf population increased.”
B. “I think wolves are dangerous.”
C. “Ecosystems are interesting.”
D. “I like deer more than wolves.”
A student report contains a claim but no evidence. Which is true?
It is a complete CER
It is missing reasoning only
It is incomplete
It is scientifically valid
When presenting findings, which is the most professional way?
Use data, graphs, and explanations that link to science concepts
Give opinions only
Speak casually without details
Skip evidence and focus on excitement
Why are CER and SEPs important for high school science students?
They make science more complicated
They allow students to think critically and explain using evidence and reasoning
They give students more work
They make labs longer
Which quote best identifies a claim?
“The ball rolled 3 meters in 2 seconds.”
“The ramp height caused the ball to roll faster.”
“The stopwatch recorded 2 seconds.”
“The ramp was set at 30 cm high.”
Which of the following is the weakest claim?
Salt water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water.
The car with larger wheels rolled farther.
I think science is fun.
Which of the following best shows evaluating information?
Checking if a website cites data from experiments
Reading a comic about science
Asking a friend’s opinion
Guessing based on prior belief
If a student makes a strong claim but weak evidence, the explanation is:
Strong CER
Incomplete CER
No CER
Opinion-based CER
A student says, “Our claim is that baking soda and vinegar react. The evidence is that we observed bubbling and gas production. The reasoning is that the reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which escapes as bubbles.” This is:
Strong CER
Weak CER
No CER
Opinion
Which SEP is most related to debating explanations in class using data?
SEP 4: Analyzing and interpreting data
SEP 7: Engaging in argument from evidence
SEP 8: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
SEP 5: Using mathematics and computational thinking
