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The Reason That Does Not Reach 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 3 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

The Reason That Does Not Reach

D4.4.3-5

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.'The programme failed because the government was incompetent.' What is wrong?
  • A.Governments are never incompetent
  • B.It names a cause with no evidence and ignores the shortages on record
  • C.It is too short
2.What makes an argument about this programme strong?
  • A.Length
  • B.Confidence
  • C.A clear claim, evidence from both sides, and an answer to the best objection
3.'Private firms would have built faster.' What is missing?
  • A.Evidence from places where private firms did build
  • B.Firms cannot build
  • C.The claim is too bold
4.An argument says what evidence would refute it. Is that weak?
  • A.Yes, it invites attack
  • B.Yes, it is longer
  • C.No: it makes the argument testable, which is its strength
5.'The public wanted housing first, so the policy was right.' What is wrong?
  • A.What people want does not establish that a method will work
  • B.41 per cent is too few
  • C.Polls are always wrong
6.'The minister admitted it, so the government was honest throughout.' What is wrong?
  • A.He was not a minister
  • B.One admission does not establish a pattern
  • C.Admissions prove nothing
7.'The 2011 history is right because it uses the official figures.' What is wrong?
  • A.Official figures are false
  • B.2011 is too recent
  • C.Both sides can use the same figures; the question is what they show
8.An argument uses only the government's own sources. What is wrong?
  • A.Official sources are useless
  • B.It is too long
  • C.It tests the government's account against nothing but itself

LessonPrint · D4.4.3-5 · Set 3 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — The Reason That Does Not Reach

Set 3. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.It names a cause with no evidence and ignores the shortages on record
  2. 2.A clear claim, evidence from both sides, and an answer to the best objection
  3. 3.Evidence from places where private firms did build
  4. 4.No: it makes the argument testable, which is its strength
  5. 5.What people want does not establish that a method will work
  6. 6.One admission does not establish a pattern
  7. 7.Both sides can use the same figures; the question is what they show
  8. 8.It tests the government's account against nothing but itself

More practice for D4.4.3-5

Judge how good an argument is.

Teaching this next? The Reason That Does Not Reach is the 55-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 to Grade 5 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D4.4.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.