UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A sound argument satisfies two conditions: it is deductively valid and all of its premises are in fact true. When these conditions hold, the conclusion must not only follow logically but must also be true. Soundness thus combines the formal virtue of validity with the material virtue of factual correctness. Therefore the argument described in the stem is properly called sound.

Option A:
Option A, strong, is used to evaluate inductive arguments where premises make the conclusion highly probable, not deductively certain. It does not by itself guarantee truth or validity in the deductive sense.

Option B:
Option B is correct because soundness is the recognised standard for high-quality deductive arguments whose conclusions we can safely accept as true. The stem explicitly mentions both validity and true premises, which are the defining features of a sound argument.

Option C:
Option C, cogent, is the analogous term for inductive arguments that are strong and have true premises, leading to a probably true conclusion. It does not apply to deductive arguments characterised by necessity.

Option D:
Option D, circular, denotes a pattern of reasoning in which the conclusion is effectively assumed in the premises. Such arguments are logically flawed even if the premises and conclusion are all true and so cannot serve as the ideal described in the question.

Logical appraisal focuses on the relation between premises and conclusion in an argument. It asks whether the premises provide genuine support and whether the inference is valid or strong. This kind of appraisal is central to critical thinking in logic. Therefore the process described in the stem is called logical appraisal.

Option A:
Option A correctly labels the evaluation of inferential support as logical appraisal. It concerns the strength of reasoning rather than effects on an audience. Hence this option matches the intention of the question.

Option B:
Option B, psychological persuasion, emphasises how arguments influence beliefs or emotions. It deals with impact on people and may ignore logical quality. Thus psychological persuasion is not the same as examining logical support.

Option C:
Option C, rhetorical analysis, studies style, language and persuasive techniques from a communication viewpoint. While related, it does not primarily test whether premises logically support a conclusion. Therefore rhetorical analysis is not the best term here.

Option D:
Option D, stylistic critique, comments on writing style or presentation features. It focuses on clarity or elegance rather than logical structure. Consequently stylistic critique does not capture the logical focus of the stem.