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
62graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 62
Because the factory released untreated waste into the river, fish populations declined significantly. What is the most direct cause of the fish population decline?
Practice 2easy
A student studied consistently for three months and scored 95% in the final exam. Which statement correctly describes the cause-and-effect relationship?
Practice 3easy
Because the factory installed modern pollution control equipment, the air quality in the surrounding area improved significantly. What was the cause in this scenario?
Practice 4easy
Heavy rainfall in the mountains caused flooding in the nearby villages. Which of the following is a direct effect of this flooding?
Practice 5easy
A student studied regularly throughout the year, attended all classes, and completed all assignments. Consequently, the student scored well in the final exam. Which statement correctly identifies the cause in this scenario?
Practice 6easy
A student's exam performance improved significantly after the school introduced a new teaching methodology. Which of the following is the MOST DIRECT cause of the improved performance?
Practice 7easy
The government increased fuel prices, which led to higher transportation costs for businesses. As a result, many small businesses reduced their delivery services. What is the chain of cause and effect here?
Practice 8easy
Heavy rainfall in the mountains caused flooding in the nearby villages. Which of the following is a direct effect of this flooding?
Practice 9easy
Heavy rainfall in the mountainous region caused landslides, which blocked the main highway. As a result, vehicles had to take a longer alternate route, increasing travel time by 3 hours. What is the direct cause of the increased travel time?
Practice 10easy
Statement I: The municipal corporation announced a complete ban on plastic bags in the city.
Statement II: Several shopkeepers in the city started using cloth and paper bags for packaging.
Which of the following is correct regarding the two statements?
Practice 11easy
A company's sales decreased because its main competitor launched an aggressive marketing campaign. Based on this cause-effect relationship, what would be a logical consequence for the company?
Practice 12easy
A drought lasted for three consecutive years in a farming region. As a result, crop yields decreased dramatically. Which of the following best explains the cause-and-effect relationship?
Practice 13easy
The price of vegetables increased sharply because of an unexpected frost that destroyed crops. Which statement correctly describes the relationship?
Practice 14easy
A student failed the exam because she did not study regularly. Which of the following would be a way to prevent this effect in the future?
Practice 15easy
A factory's production decreased significantly after the workers went on strike for better wages. Which of the following is a valid effect of the strike?
Practice 16easy
Because the company reduced its workforce by 30%, employee morale decreased and productivity fell. Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of the workforce reduction?
Practice 17easy
Because the factory increased its production capacity, it hired 200 additional workers. What is the cause in this statement?
Practice 18easy
Because the school implemented stricter attendance policies, student absenteeism decreased from 25% to 8% within six months. Which of the following is NOT a logical consequence of this change?
Practice 19easy
The company reduced its workforce by 30% last quarter. As a result, employee morale decreased and productivity dropped. What is the effect mentioned in this passage?
Practice 20medium
A company noticed that employees who worked from home had lower productivity than office workers. The manager concluded that remote work reduces productivity. However, the company later discovered that during the remote work period, there was a major organizational restructuring happening simultaneously. Which reasoning error is most evident in the manager's conclusion?
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