This page covers Agniveer Army CEE Cause & Effect with complete concept notes, 6 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
CORE CONCEPT
A cause is the reason something happens. An effect is what happens because of that reason
Example
Rain (cause) makes the ground wet (effect)
KEY RULES
Cause always comes first in time. Effect comes after.
2. One event must directly lead to the other—there must be a real connection.
3. Correlation is NOT causation.
Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one caused the other.
4
Look for trigger words
because, since, caused by, due to, as a result, therefore, consequently, led to.
5. A single cause can have multiple effects. A single effect can have multiple causes.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL asks cause-effect questions in two main ways:
- Find the cause of a given effect
- Identify what effect follows from a given cause
- Distinguish between real cause-effect and mere coincidence
- Spot faulty cause-effect reasoning
SHORTCUT/TRICK:
Use the "IF-THEN" test: If [cause happens], then [effect should happen]. If this sounds logical and the connection is direct, it's likely correct. If the connection feels forced or needs extra steps, it's probably wrong.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Identify the claimed cause—new machinery installation.
2
Step 2
Identify the claimed effect—40% productivity increase.
3
Step 3
Check if cause came before effect—YES, machinery installed first, then productivity increased.
4
Step 4
Check if there's a direct connection—The passage assumes machinery automatically increases productivity, but doesn't prove it. Workers might be working harder due to new job expectations, or the month itself could be naturally busy.
5
Step 5
Look for alternative causes—Training on machinery, worker motivation, seasonal demand, management changes.
Conclusion: The reasoning is WEAK. It shows correlation but not proven causation. Other factors could explain the effect.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students assume that because Event A happened before Event B, A caused B. This is wrong. Sequence alone doesn't prove causation.
You need a logical, direct connection. Also, students miss alternative explanations. Always ask: "Could something else have caused this effect?"
Key Points to Remember
Cause is the reason something happens; effect is what happens as a result.
Cause must come BEFORE effect in time—this is essential.
Use trigger words (because, since, due to, therefore, as a result) to spot cause-effect statements.
Correlation ≠ Causation: Two things happening together doesn't prove one caused the other.
Apply the IF-THEN test: If [cause], then [effect] should logically follow.
Always look for alternative causes before accepting a cause-effect claim as proven.
Exam-Specific Tips
Cause-effect reasoning in SSC CGL focuses on identifying faulty logic and weak connections between events.
Trigger words for cause-effect: because, since, caused by, due to, as a result, therefore, consequently, led to.
Correlation means two things happen together; causation means one directly causes the other—they are NOT the same.
Valid cause-effect requires: (1) Cause occurs before effect in time, (2) Direct logical connection, (3) No better alternative explanation.
SSC CGL typically asks students to identify which statement represents a faulty cause-effect relationship in critical reasoning passages.
The IF-THEN test is a quick validation tool: If the claimed cause happens, does the claimed effect necessarily follow?
Multiple causes can produce one effect (overdetermined causation), and one cause can produce multiple effects (branching causation).
Temporal sequence alone (A before B) is insufficient to prove A caused B—you need evidence of direct connection.
Practice MCQs
Cause & Effect — Practice Questions
6graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
A plant wilts and dies because it was not watered for three weeks. Which of the following is the effect?
Practice 2easy
A student studies for 2 extra hours every day. As a result, his test scores increased from 60% to 75%. What is the cause in this situation?
Practice 3medium
A city experiences heavy rainfall for 5 consecutive days. As a consequence, street flooding occurs, and schools are forced to close for 3 days. What is the primary cause in this sequence of events?
Practice 4medium
A factory machine breaks down after running continuously for 48 hours without maintenance. As a result, production halts for 2 days. Which statement best describes the cause-and-effect relationship?
Practice 5medium
A student studies for 3 hours every day and scores 85% in exams. Another student studies for only 1 hour daily and scores 60%. What is the most likely cause of the difference in their exam scores?
Practice 6hard
A factory increased its production capacity by 40% after installing new machinery. As a direct result, the factory's monthly output rose from 5,000 units to 7,000 units. However, the factory also noticed that worker fatigue increased significantly. Which of the following best explains the cause-and-effect relationship in this scenario?
60-Second Revision — Cause & Effect
Remember: Cause comes FIRST in time, effect comes AFTER. Always check this order.
Trap: Just because X happened before Y doesn't mean X caused Y. Look for direct logical connection.
Formula: Valid Cause-Effect = Temporal Order + Direct Connection + No Better Alternative Explanation.
Spot trigger words instantly: because, since, due to, therefore, as a result, consequently.
Use IF-THEN test in 10 seconds: If [cause], does [effect] HAVE to happen? If yes, likely valid; if no, likely faulty.
Watch for: Alternative causes hiding in the passage. Always ask 'What else could explain this effect?'
Correlation ≠ Causation—this is the #1 trick used in SSC CGL critical reasoning to trap students.