What is a 'claim' in a text and how is it supported?

• A. A claim is a description of the setting.
• B. A claim is a thesis or assertion; it is supported by evidence and reasoning.
• C. A claim is a summary of events.
• D. A claim is the author's background information.

Answer: (B)

A claim is the statement or position a writer wants you to accept—the main assertion the text is built to prove. It’s like the thesis: what the author is arguing or arguing for. A claim is supported by evidence and reasoning. Evidence includes facts, data, quotes, examples, or studies that back up the claim. Reasoning explains how that evidence supports the claim and why it matters, linking the facts to the writer’s point.

For example, if an article argues that daily vegetable intake improves health, the claim is that daily vegetables enhance health. It’s supported by evidence such as nutrition studies and health data, with reasoning showing how nutrients and fiber from vegetables lead to better health outcomes.

The other descriptions—describing the setting, summarizing events, or giving background information—do not function as the claim itself. They describe parts of the text or context rather than the central point the author is trying to prove.