UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Teaching in the academic sense focuses on development of concepts,principles and higher-order thinking. It seeks to broaden understanding beyond routine performance of tasks. When the major aim is cognitive growth rather than mechanical skill alone,the activity is properly called teaching. Thus,this option fits the emphasis on understanding in the stem.

Option A:
Training usually stresses acquisition of specific skills and routines,often for job performance,with less emphasis on conceptual understanding or critical thinking. Because the question highlights higher mental abilities,training is not the best descriptor.

Option B:
Teaching seeks to integrate knowledge,reasoning and values so that learners can apply what they know in varied situations. This broader orientation goes beyond repetitive practice,making teaching the correct completion here.

Option C:
Drilling refers to repetitive practice of the same response until it becomes automatic,which can be part of training but does not capture the focus on understanding. Therefore,this option is too narrow for the described purpose.

Option D:
Conditioning emphasises behaviour change through reinforcement or association without necessarily involving conscious understanding. The stem clearly values comprehension,so conditioning does not match the intended meaning.