UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A premise is a statement that offers reasons or evidence for accepting a conclusion. It forms the supporting part of an argument on which the inference rests. Without premises, there would be no logical basis for moving to a conclusion. Therefore the statement described in the stem is correctly termed a premise.

Option A:
Option A names the conclusion, which is the claim an argument is trying to establish. The conclusion is supported by other statements rather than providing the support itself. Thus conclusion does not describe the evidential role mentioned in the question.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies premise as the supporting statement in an argument. Premises supply the grounds from which the conclusion is inferred. Hence this option exactly matches the description of giving reasons or evidence for the conclusion.

Option C:
Option C, illustration, provides examples to clarify an idea but is not the basic name for a supporting statement. An illustration can accompany a premise but does not replace the technical role of premise in an argument. Therefore illustration is not the best term here.

Option D:
Option D, example, is a particular instance used to make a point clearer. While examples can be used inside premises, they are not the general name for statements that support a conclusion. So example is too narrow and does not answer the question precisely.