UGCNET Questions

An assumption is an unstated belief or idea that must be true for the argument’s reasoning to work, even though it is not explicitly mentioned. It forms part of the underlying support for the conclusion. When analysing arguments, identifying assumptions helps reveal what the author is relying on without saying. These hidden elements can be tested for reasonableness and necessity.

Option A:
Option A describes an explicit premise, which appears directly in the argument and is not hidden.

Option B:
Option B fits the notion of a conclusion or inference, something derived from the premises rather than presupposed by them.

Option C:
Option C captures the idea that assumptions operate in the background; they are required for the argument to be plausible but remain unstated.

Option D:
Option D refers to a statement that goes against the conclusion, which would weaken or refute the argument rather than support it implicitly.

The argument links online courses with distraction at home and then directly concludes they are ineffective. For this move to work, the speaker must be assuming that distraction has a strong negative impact on learning outcomes. If distraction did not significantly reduce learning effectiveness, the fact that students “often get distracted” would not support the claim of ineffectiveness. Thus, the hidden bridge premise is that distraction harms learning in a substantial way.

Option A:
Option A overstates the issue by claiming distraction is the only factor, which is not required for the argument; the reasoning can proceed even if other factors exist.

Option B:
Option B is an additional claim about traditional classrooms that is not necessary for the argument; the focus is on online context and distraction.

Option C:
Option C correctly identifies the needed link between distraction and reduced effectiveness, which is what turns the observation into a criticism of online courses.

Option D:
Option D introduces cost, which is irrelevant to the line of reasoning about effectiveness and distraction.