Name ______

Claims and Qualifiers Practice Sheet

1. A claim is ______
______

2. The following guidelines are the criteria for selecting a claim. A ‘worthy claim’ for scientific argumentation would have all of these qualities.

  • It is a statement that people can disagree on - someone could argue it to be untrue or inaccurate.
  • It is an statementthat can be based on observations.
  • It is a statement that can besupported by scientific theory or scientific explanation.
  • It is not a definition, opinion or statement of values.

3. Complete the table below to practice identifying a worthy claim.

Claim made / Is it a ‘worthy claim’ for scientific argumentation? / Explain your answer
The best flavor of cake is lemon. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
The Earth’s gravity keeps us from floating away when we jump into the air. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
A healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables, because they contain nutrients our bodies need. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
The moon most likely formed as a result of a chunk of the Earth being thrown into space after a giant impact event. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a car on a visit to Dallas, Texas. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
The higher the temperature of the water, the faster the Alka Seltzer bubbled as long as the same amount of water was used every trial. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?
If a person has too much lead in their blood, they may suffer damage to their nervous system. / Y or N People can disagree?
Y or N Can be based on observations?
Y or N Can be supported by scientific theory or scientific explanation?
Y or N Not definition, opinion or values?

4. Qualifiers are ______
______

5. Go back to the table in question #3. In each worthy claim, circle the qualifier(s).

6. In the space below, create a class list of words that would indicate the qualifier in a claim.

Revised 7/3/2008