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
30graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 30
Statement I: The government declared a complete lockdown in the city due to a sudden outbreak of a contagious disease.
Statement II: All schools, offices, and markets in the city were closed immediately.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the two statements?
Practice 2easy
Because the school implemented a strict attendance policy, student absenteeism decreased. In this scenario, what is the effect?
Practice 3easy
A student's grades dropped significantly after he started spending 6 hours daily on social media instead of studying. Which of the following is the CAUSE in this scenario?
Practice 4easy
Heavy rainfall in the region caused flooding in low-lying areas, which resulted in crop damage and loss of livestock. What is the EFFECT of the heavy rainfall?
Practice 5easy
A company's sales increased by 40% after it launched a new advertising campaign on social media. Which statement correctly identifies the cause-effect relationship?
Practice 6easy
Heavy rainfall in the mountains caused flooding in the nearby villages. Which of the following is a direct effect of this flooding?
Practice 7easy
Because the factory released untreated waste into the river, fish populations in the river declined sharply. What is the cause in this cause-and-effect relationship?
Practice 8easy
A student studied for 8 hours every day for two weeks before the exam. As a result, the student scored 95% on the exam. Which statement correctly identifies the effect?
Practice 9easy
Because the factory increased its production capacity, it was able to meet the rising demand from customers. In this statement, what is the CAUSE?
Practice 10easy
The company reduced its product prices significantly. Which of the following is a likely effect of this action?
Practice 11easy
A student attended extra coaching classes regularly, which helped her understand difficult concepts better and score higher marks in exams. What is the EFFECT of attending extra coaching classes?
Practice 12medium
Because the monsoon rains arrived late this year, the water level in the reservoir dropped significantly. As a result of the low water level, the irrigation department had to reduce water supply to farms by 30%. Which of the following is a direct effect of the reduced water supply?
Practice 13medium
A factory's production decreased by 20% after the manager implemented a new shift system. However, worker morale improved significantly. Which of the following best explains the cause-and-effect relationship in this scenario?
Practice 14medium
A city experienced heavy rainfall for three consecutive days. As a result, the municipal water supply increased, and flooding occurred in low-lying areas. Which statement correctly identifies the cause and its effects?
Practice 15medium
A student's test scores improved significantly after she joined a coaching institute. Her parents attributed the improvement to the coaching. However, the student also started studying 3 hours daily on her own. Which conclusion about causation is most accurate?
Practice 16medium
A company's employee turnover rate increased from 10% to 25% after the CEO announced a salary freeze. The CEO claimed the turnover was caused by external market competition for talent, not the salary freeze. Which statement best evaluates the CEO's claim?
Practice 17medium
A restaurant's customer complaints increased significantly after it switched to a new supplier for ingredients. The manager concluded that the new supplier provided lower-quality ingredients. However, the restaurant also reduced its kitchen staff by 30% at the same time. Which of the following best explains why the manager's conclusion may be incomplete?
Practice 18medium
A study found that students who attended extra coaching classes scored higher on average than those who did not. Therefore, attending extra coaching classes causes higher test scores. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken this conclusion?
Practice 19medium
The city implemented stricter traffic rules and increased fines for traffic violations. Following this policy change, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 15% within six months. Which of the following best explains this cause-effect relationship?
Practice 20medium
A pharmaceutical company noticed that patients who took their new medication experienced side effects. Upon investigation, they discovered that the side effects occurred only in patients who consumed alcohol while taking the medication. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the cause of the side effects?
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