Claim vs. Evidence Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task is to determine whether each statement is a claim or evidence. A claim is a statement that expresses an opinion, position, or point of view on a topic and is open to debate. Evidence, on the other hand, consists of facts, data, examples, or quotations that support a claim and are not debatable.

Solution:

#### Statement 1:
"Yardwork is a lot of fun. Especially in the summer."

- Is it a claim?
Yes

- Explanation:
This statement expresses an opinion about yardwork being fun, particularly in the summer. Whether yardwork is "fun" is subjective and can vary from person to person, making it open to debate. Therefore, it is a claim.

---

#### Statement 2:
"The Moon is the second densest natural satellite among those whose densities are known."

- Is it a claim?
No

- Explanation:
This statement provides a factual piece of information about the Moon's density relative to other natural satellites. It is a specific fact that can be verified through scientific data and is not open to debate. Therefore, it is evidence.

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#### Statement 3:
"George Washington was an educated man."

- Is it a claim?
Yes

- Explanation:
This statement expresses an opinion about George Washington's level of education. While there may be historical records supporting this, the term "educated" is somewhat subjective and can be interpreted differently by different people. Thus, it is open to debate and qualifies as a claim.

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#### Statement 4:
"Everyone over the age of twelve has a cell phone."

- Is it a claim?
Yes

- Explanation:
This statement makes a generalization about everyone over the age of twelve owning a cell phone. Such a broad statement is debatable because it is unlikely to be universally true. There could be exceptions (e.g., people who choose not to own a cell phone). Therefore, it is a claim.

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Final Answers:

1. Claim: Yardwork is a lot of fun. Especially in the summer.
- Explanation: It expresses a subjective opinion about the enjoyment of yardwork.

2. Not a Claim (Evidence): The Moon is the second densest natural satellite among those whose densities are known.
- Explanation: It provides a verifiable fact based on scientific data.

3. Claim: George Washington was an educated man.
- Explanation: It expresses an opinion about George Washington's level of education, which is subjective.

4. Claim: Everyone over the age of twelve has a cell phone.
- Explanation: It makes a generalization that is debatable due to potential exceptions.

Final Answer Box:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
\text{1. Claim} & \text{(Subjective opinion about yardwork)} \\
\text{2. Not a Claim (Evidence)} & \text{(Verifiable scientific fact about the Moon)} \\
\text{3. Claim} & \text{(Subjective opinion about George Washington's education)} \\
\text{4. Claim} & \text{(Debatable generalization about cell phone ownership)}
\end{array}
}
\]