Read each statement. Each statement will have a claim and a reason why that claim it’s true. Underline
the claim. Write down the reason. Then you will write why the reason is a good reason and why the
reason is a bad reason. I DO NOT want you arguing about why the claim itself is true or false I only want
you focusing on the reason! Then, I want you to guess about what percentage of confidence you think
you should have in that claim because of that reason. Then tell me why you choose your percentage.
You can do the first two claims with a partner or in a group if you want to! After that I expect you to
do the remaining claims on your own!
Example –

Claim – The Earth is round because science says its round.
o Reason – Because science says
o Good – Science is a field of study made up of scientists. There are many scientists and if
“science” says something it true than most scientists likely agree which means there is
probably a lot of evidence for it. Scientists are the experts on this topic so it’s very likely
they understand it and would likely be correct.
o Bad – Science can be wrong. Not everything that science says is true is actually true.
o % of confidence – 90%
 Because – Scientists CAN be wrong, but when most scientists agree than it’s
very likely to be true and there is a lot of evidence to support it. Even if I don’t
personally know it.
1. Claim – Self-driving cars aren’t safe because someone was killed by a self-driving car in America.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
2. Claim – You should never waste food because people in other parts of the world don’t have enough
food.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
3. Claim – I can’t imagine how human beings evolved from a single-celled organism so evolution can’t
be correct!
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
4. Claim – It’s possible that a god exists because no one can prove that god doesn’t exist.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
5. Claim – You couldn’t even get into a good university, why should I believe you about social issues?
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
6. Claim – Real Americans love Donald Trump, if you don’t love Trump you aren’t a real American.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
7. Claim – If you’re sick you should take a hot shower, it always makes me feel better.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
8. Claim – Traditional medicine is better than modern medicine because it’s more natural.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
9. Claim – Either you love the government, or you hate it.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
10. Claim – Every time I use my favorite pen I do better on my exams.
a. Reason –
b. Good –
c. Bad –
d. % of confidence –
i. Because –
11. Statement – You should wear a mask because Dr. Zhong Nanshan (终南山) says that wearing a
mask will protect you from Coronavirus.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Reason –
Good –
Bad –
% of confidence –
i. Because –