Which choice best defines a claim?

• A. A statement or thesis supported by evidence
• B. A conclusion drawn from data without any claim
• C. A personal opinion without support
• D. A summary of the text

Answer: (A)

A claim is a statement or thesis that makes a definite argument and can be backed up with evidence. That’s why the best choice describes a claim as a statement or thesis supported by evidence. A conclusion drawn from data without any claim is just restating results, not presenting a position to defend. A personal opinion without support is an unbacked viewpoint, not a claim with reasons and evidence. And a summary simply restates what happened or what the text says, not what you’re trying to argue. For example, “Schools should start later to improve student well-being” is a claim if you then provide data and reasoning to support it.