Where That Argument Breaks is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on critiquing an argument, aligned to Common Core standard D4.4.3-5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
C.A clear claim, evidence from both sides, and an answer to the strongest objection
2.'Trade is poor, so wages must fall.' What is wrong with the argument?
A.No figures are given, so the claim cannot be checked
B.Trade is never poor
C.Wages cannot fall
3.'The 1998 book is right because it is thorough.' What is wrong?
A.1998 is too recent
B.Thoroughness is not evidence for the particular claim
C.Thorough books are wrong
4.'The mills made the region because they employed most people.' What is missing?
A.The date
B.The number employed
C.A reason why employment is the right measure rather than money
5.An argument uses only the union's figures. What is wrong?
A.It has chosen the evidence to fit the conclusion
B.Figures are unreliable
C.Unions never lie
6.An argument states what would change its mind. Is that weak?
A.Yes, it is longer
B.Yes, it shows doubt
C.No: it makes the argument testable, which is a strength
7.'The uplands declined because upland people are backward.' What is wrong?
A.It blames the people with no evidence, when their market disappeared
B.Uplands are cold
C.It is too short
8.'Deaths were high because the poor are dirty.' What is wrong?
A.Deaths cannot be counted
B.It ignores the officer's own evidence about piped water
C.It is too blunt
LessonPrint · D4.4.3-5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Where That Argument Breaks
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.A clear claim, evidence from both sides, and an answer to the strongest objection
2.No figures are given, so the claim cannot be checked
3.Thoroughness is not evidence for the particular claim
4.A reason why employment is the right measure rather than money
5.It has chosen the evidence to fit the conclusion
6.No: it makes the argument testable, which is a strength
7.It blames the people with no evidence, when their market disappeared
8.It ignores the officer's own evidence about piped water
Questions about Where That Argument Breaks
What does the Where That Argument Breaks worksheet cover?
It practises critiquing an argument — 8 questions for Grade 3 to Grade 5, all on Common Core D4.4.3-5: Judge how good an argument is. The instruction to pupils is “Circle the best answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Where That Argument Breaks practise?
D4.4.3-5 — D4.4.3-5, in the Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action domain for Grade 3 to Grade 5. The published standard reads: “Critique arguments.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Where That Argument Breaks is written for Grade 3 to Grade 5, typically ages 40-41. It is one of the sheets on D4.4.3-5, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Where That Argument Breaks come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Where That Argument Breaks can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Where That Argument Breaks free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Where That Argument Breaks, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach D4.4.3-5?
Yes — “Where That Argument Breaks” is a 50-minute Grade 3 to Grade 5 plan for D4.4.3-5, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Where That Argument Breaks is the practice that follows it.
More practice for D4.4.3-5
Judge how good an argument is.
Teaching this next? Where That Argument Breaks is the 50-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.