What term best matches the definition 'an assertion, usually supported by evidence' ?

• A. Compare
• B. Claim
• C. Closure
• D. Clarify

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is describing a statement that someone asserts and supports with evidence. A claim is exactly that—a statement offered as true that can be defended with facts, data, or reasoning. In writing and argument, you put forward a claim about your topic and then provide evidence to back it up, showing how the evidence supports the assertion. The other terms don’t fit because they describe actions rather than a proposition to be argued: compare involves looking at similarities or differences; closure means reaching a final conclusion or ending; clarify means to make something clearer. An assertion backed by evidence is a claim, such as proposing that school start times should be later and then presenting evidence to support it.