Cause and Effect Notes for SSC Exams

In a cause and effect question, two statements (I and II) about events are given, and you have to decide how they are related. One may be the cause and the other the effect, or both may be effects of the same cause, or they may have no link at all. These cause and effect notes for SSC explain the types, a simple method and the solved examples in simple language.

Cause and Effect: Meaning

• A cause is the reason why something happens.
• An effect is the result of a cause.
• The cause usually happens before the effect, but not always in the statement order.

Types of Causes

Answer Options in the Usual Format

Simple Method

1. Read the two statements and ask "Why did this happen?" for each.
2. If one statement answers the "why" of the other, it is the cause.
3. If neither explains the other, ask whether both can come from one reason (common cause).
4. If they look unrelated, choose independent causes.
5. Do not use a long chain of thought; choose the most direct link.

Examples of Linked Pairs

Solved Examples

Example 1. I. The price of tomatoes has gone up. II. Heavy rain damaged the tomato crop.
II explains the price rise. Answer: II is the cause and I is its effect.

Example 2. I. A big accident took place on the highway. II. The traffic on the highway was stuck for hours.
The accident is the reason for the traffic jam. Answer: I is the cause and II is its effect.

Example 3. I. Many farmers lost their crops. II. The prices of vegetables rose in the city.
Neither explains the other directly, but both can be the result of one event such as a flood. Answer: both are effects of some common cause.

Example 4. I. A large number of students failed in the exam. II. The cricket team of the college won the match.
The two events have no relation. Answer: both are effects of independent causes.

Example 5. I. The government increased the interest rate. II. The inflation rate rose sharply.
The rise of the interest rate is a step taken because of the high inflation. Answer: II is the cause and I is its effect.

Quick Tips

• Ask "why" for each statement and find which one answers it.
• Do not choose a common cause unless both statements look like results of one event.
• Use the most direct link, and avoid a long chain of reasoning.
• Remember that a government step is often an effect of a problem.

Quick Revision Points

• A cause is the reason and an effect is the result.
• The immediate cause is the nearest reason.
• A common cause produces two effects.
• Independent causes have no link.
• Choose the most direct link.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. I. The crop failed. II. Rain did not come on time. Which is the cause?
   Answer: II is the cause and I is the effect
2. I. Many people were absent from work. II. A strike was announced by the transport workers. Which is the cause?
   Answer: II is the cause and I is the effect
3. I. The price of petrol was reduced. II. The cricket match was won by India. What is the relation?
   Answer: Both are effects of independent causes
4. I. The river overflowed. II. Many villages were flooded. Which is the cause?
   Answer: I is the cause and II is the effect
5. What is the type of cause that produces two effects?
   Answer: Common cause
6. What is the nearest reason of an event called?
   Answer: Immediate cause
7. I. A new school was opened in the village. II. The literacy rate of the village increased. Which is the cause?
   Answer: I is the cause and II is the effect
8. What is the first step to solve a cause and effect question?
   Answer: Ask "why" for each statement
9. Can a government decision be an effect?
   Answer: Yes, it may be a result of a problem
10. Can two statements have no link at all?
    Answer: Yes, then they are effects of independent causes

How to Practise This Chapter

Learn the rules, solve ten questions daily and write the reason for every answer. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Logical Reasoning notes page, and also read the Syllogism and Reasoning notes. Read the previous topic, Course of Action, and the first topic, Statement and Conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cause and effect in reasoning?

It is a question type in which two statements are given and you decide whether one is the cause of the other or whether they are independent.

How do I find the cause?

Ask "why" for each statement. The statement that answers the "why" of the other is the cause.

What is an immediate cause?

The immediate cause is the direct and nearest reason of an event.

What is a common cause?

A common cause is one reason that produces both the effects.

What are independent causes?

Independent causes are two separate reasons that have no link with each other.

What are the usual answer options?

The options are: I is the cause, II is the cause, both are effects of independent causes, both are effects of a common cause, and both are independent causes.

Is the cause always the first statement?

No. The cause can be statement I or statement II.

How much time should I take for one question?

About 30 to 40 seconds.

Is this topic asked in SSC exams?

Yes. It is part of logical reasoning in several SSC papers.

What are common mistakes?

Choosing a common cause too soon and using a long chain of reasoning instead of the direct link.

Can an effect come before its cause in the statements?

Yes. The order of the statements does not decide the cause and the effect.

How many questions come from this topic in SSC exams?

Usually one or two, but the number changes from year to year.