UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

In logic, an argument is a structured collection of statements where some are offered as reasons for accepting another statement. The supporting statements are called premises and the supported statement is the conclusion. The defining feature of an argument is this inferential relationship between premises and conclusion. Therefore the set of statements described in the stem is correctly called an argument.

Option A:
Option A is correct because the term argument precisely denotes a group of premises intended to justify a conclusion. It emphasises the idea of rational support rather than mere disagreement or quarrel. In formal reasoning, analysing an argument means evaluating how well its premises support its conclusion. These features match the description given in the question.

Option B:
Option B, explanation, aims to make an already accepted fact intelligible by showing why or how it occurred, rather than to prove that it is true. Explanations presuppose the truth of what they explain, whereas arguments try to establish truth. Hence an explanation does not fit the definition in the stem.

Option C:
Option C, assertion, is simply a statement that claims something is the case without necessarily offering any reasons. An assertion can appear within an argument, but by itself it is not a structured set of premises and conclusion. Therefore assertion is not the correct label here.

Option D:
Option D, example, is a specific instance that may illustrate a general claim or support a premise, but it is only one statement rather than a complete structure of reasoning. Examples can be parts of arguments but are not synonymous with arguments as such.

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.