Cause and Effect questions with answers and concepts
Learn cause and effect with concept notes and worked examples, then practise focused questions with explained answers. Build accuracy for placement and competitive aptitude tests before trying timed mode.
Cause and Effect is a logical reasoning topic that tests your ability to identify the relationship between two statements or events. You must determine whether one statement is the cause of another, or if they share a common cause, or if they are independent occurrences.
Key concepts
I is the Cause and II is the Effect
When the first statement (I) directly leads to or results in the second statement (II). The cause always precedes the effect in time. For example: 'The roads were waterlogged due to heavy rainfall' (Cause) -> 'Traffic moved at a snail's pace' (Effect).
II is the Cause and I is the Effect
When the second statement (II) is the reason behind the first statement (I). The order is reversed from what appears. For example: 'The company reported record profits' (Effect) -> 'The marketing campaign was highly successful' (Cause).
Both Statements are Effects of Independent Causes
When the two statements are independent events that happen to occur together, but neither causes the other. They may share a common underlying factor or be completely unrelated. For example: 'The stock market crashed' and 'There was a drought in the region' — both could be effects of a global economic crisis or could be completely unrelated.
Both Statements are Effects of Some Common Cause
When both statements result from the same underlying cause that is not explicitly mentioned. The statements are related but neither causes the other. For example: 'The school remained closed' and 'All examinations were postponed' — both are effects of heavy flooding in the city.
Both Statements are Independent Causes
When each statement is a cause in itself, potentially leading to some common effect that is not mentioned. Both are initiating factors for outcomes not stated in the problem. For example: 'Government reduced taxes' and 'Interest rates were lowered' — both are causes that could independently stimulate economic growth.
Chronological and Logical Analysis
Always check the time sequence — a cause must precede its effect. Also verify the logical connection — there should be a plausible mechanism linking cause to effect. Be wary of coincidental relationships where two events occur together but have no causal link.
Worked examples
Example 1
Statements:
I. The government has increased the minimum support price for wheat.
II. Farmers are growing more wheat this season.
Solution
Answer: I is the cause and II is the effect.
Step 1: Analyze Statement I — Government increasing MSP means farmers get better prices.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II — Farmers growing more wheat indicates an incentive.
Step 3: Check chronology — MSP increase announcement comes before planting decisions.
Step 4: Check logical connection — Higher MSP provides financial incentive, directly causing increased cultivation.
Step 5: Conclusion — Statement I (cause) -> Statement II (effect).
Example 2
Statements:
I. The company announced mass layoffs.
II. The company's profits declined by 40% last quarter.
Solution
Answer: II is the cause and I is the effect.
Step 1: Analyze Statement I — Mass layoffs are a response to some problem.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II — Profit decline indicates financial stress.
Step 3: Check chronology — Profit decline happens first, triggering cost-cutting measures.
Step 4: Check logical connection — Declining profits force companies to reduce workforce to cut costs.
Step 5: Conclusion — Statement II (cause) -> Statement I (effect).
Example 3
Statements:
I. The city experienced unprecedented rainfall.
II. All outdoor sporting events were cancelled.
Solution
Answer: I is the cause and II is the effect.
Step 1: Analyze Statement I — Heavy rainfall is a natural event causing disruption.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II — Cancellation of outdoor events is a response to conditions.
Step 3: Check chronology — Rainfall occurs first, then events are cancelled.
Step 4: Check logical connection — Heavy rain makes outdoor sports impossible/unsafe, forcing cancellations.
Step 5: Conclusion — Statement I (cause) -> Statement II (effect).
Example 4
Statements:
I. The prices of electronic goods have risen sharply.
II. Global semiconductor shortage has affected manufacturing.
Solution
Answer: II is the cause and I is the effect.
Step 1: Analyze Statement I — Price rise is typically a response to supply constraints.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II — Semiconductor shortage affects electronics production.
Step 3: Check chronology — Shortage occurs first, leading to reduced supply and higher prices.
Step 4: Check logical connection — Reduced supply from chip shortage creates scarcity, driving prices up.
Step 5: Conclusion — Statement II (cause) -> Statement I (effect).
Representative solved questions
See the kind of question in this topic before opening the full practice set.
Question 1
Statement I: The restaurant introduced a new vegan menu.
Statement II: The restaurant saw a 30% increase in customers.
Answer: D. Both statements are effects of a common cause
ExplanationStep 1: Consider both possible relationships.
Step 2: A new vegan menu could attract more customers, but an increase in customers could also be due to other factors like location, pricing, or general health trends.
Step 3: Both could be effects of a growing health-conscious population or increased veganism trend.
Answer: Both statements are effects of a common cause.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Question 2
Statement I: The new software update was released.
Statement II: Many users reported system crashes.
Answer: D. Statement I is the cause and Statement II is its effect
ExplanationStep 1: Examine software development context.
Step 2: New software updates sometimes contain bugs or compatibility issues.
Step 3: These issues can manifest as system crashes for users.
Answer: Statement I is the cause and Statement II is its effect.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Question 3
Statement I: The smartphone manufacturer reduced prices.
Statement II: Competitors also lowered their prices.
Answer: B. Both statements are effects of a common cause
ExplanationStep 1: Consider market dynamics.
Step 2: One company reducing prices could trigger competitor responses, OR both could respond to market saturation.
Step 3: Both price reductions could be responses to market saturation, economic downturn, or new technology introduction.
Answer: Both statements are effects of a common cause.
Sources and review notes
This is an AISEA-authored practice question.
Review status: accepted · Reviewed 2026-08-13 · structure and answer-key checks, editorial quality checks, duplicate screening
Common mistakes and useful habits
- Always check the time sequence — a cause must happen before its effect. If II happened before I, then II could be the cause.
- Look for logical mechanisms — there must be a plausible explanation for how the cause leads to the effect.
- Be careful not to assume causation from correlation — just because two events occur together doesn't mean one caused the other.
- When both statements appear to be consequences of the same underlying event, choose 'common cause'.
- If the statements describe two separate, unrelated events, choose 'independent causes' or 'effects of independent causes'.
- Read carefully — sometimes the order of statements in the question is reversed from the actual cause-effect relationship.
- Eliminate options by asking: Could I happen without II? Could II happen without I? This helps identify true dependencies.
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