Which term describes an event that leads to a specific outcome?

The term that describes an event leading to a specific outcome is "cause." In the context of cause-and-effect relationships, a cause is an action, condition, or event that directly results in an effect or consequence. For example, if a student studies hard for a test, the cause (studying) is what leads to a specific outcome (performing well on the test). Understanding cause is crucial in various contexts, such as scientific reasoning, literature analysis, and critical thinking, as it helps to establish a clear connection between actions and their results.

The other terms do not serve the same function: "effect" refers to the outcome itself rather than the event that caused it. "Analogy" is a comparison between two different things that highlights some form of similarity, and "narrative" describes a story or account of events rather than specifying a relationship of causation.