20 Key Words

Question 1

Advance

Answer 1

To put forward a claim

Question 2

Assert

Answer 2

To put forward an argument or state that something is true

Question 3

Conjecture

Answer 3

Hypothesis (noun); hypothesize (verb)

Question 4

(Pre)supposition

Answer 4

An idea assumed beforehand about a subject

Question 5

Surmise

Answer 5

To assume; draw a conclusion without strung evidence

Question 6

Bolster

Answer 6

to provide support for an argument

Question 7

Buttress

Answer 7

to provide support for an argument

Question 8

SUBSTANTIATE

Answer 8

to provide evidence to support or prove a claim

Question 9

CORROBORATE

Answer 9

to confirm or support a claim

Question 10

VALIDATE

Answer 10

to prove the accuracy of a claim

Question 11

CONCEDE

Answer 11

to admit that an opposing claim is true or valid

Question 12

ACKNOWLEDGE

Answer 12

to accept or admit the validity of a claim

Question 13

REBUT

Answer 13

to offer an argument a against a claim believed to be false

Question 14

REFUTE

Answer 14

to prove that a claim is false

Question 15

GRAPPLE WITH

Answer 15

to try to deal with or understand a difficult problem

Question 16

RUMINATE ABOUT

Answer 16

to think deeply about; turn something over in one’s mind

Question 17

INFER

Answer 17

to deduce or conclude from evidence and reasoning

Question 18

PROPONENT

Answer 18

person who supports a claim or course of action

Question 19

DETRACTOR

Answer 19

person who criticizes a claim or course of action

Question 20

SKEPTIC

Answer 20

person who questions or doubts a claim