What is comprehension?

• A. Extension
• B. Judgement
• C. Mental image
• D. Comprehension

Answer: (D)

Comprehension is the internal content of a term—the attributes that define its meaning. It’s what makes a concept what it is, independent of how many things fall under the term’s scope. In contrast, extension is the actual group of things the term applies to, and a mental image is just a personal visualization, not a precise logical notion. For example, the term “bird” has a comprehension that includes features like having feathers, a beak, wings, and the ability to lay eggs; its extension is all creatures that are birds. A mental image of a bird may vary from person to person, so it isn’t a formal aspect of the term’s meaning. The task is asking for the internal meaning of a term, so the correct choice is comprehension.