Theory & Concepts
Master Cause & Effect for SSC CGL
Get comprehensive theory, expert shortcuts, and hand-picked practice questions for Cause & Effect specifically designed for the SSC CGL 2025-26 pattern.
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Practice Notes
45 min readDifficulty: Medium
Cause & Effect is a fundamental analytical reasoning topic in the SSC CGL syllabus. You are presented with two statements and must determine the logical relationship between them: whether one is the cause and the other is its effect, if both are independent causes, or if both are effects of independent or common causes.
Learning path
- Defining Cause vs. Effect
- Five Core Relationships
- Operational Golden Rules
- 20 Practice Questions
1. Defining Cause vs. Effect
A **cause** is the condition or event that generates an outcome. An **effect** is the physical or logical result of that cause. To establish a cause-and-effect link, the cause must precede the effect in time and there must be a direct logical transition between them.
Direct Relationship
One statement directly leads to the other. You can link them using "Because" or "Therefore".
"It rained heavily all night. (Cause)"
→ "Therefore, streets were flooded this morning. (Effect)"
Common Cause
Two statements are effects of a single hidden, unmentioned cause.
"Schools were closed today" & "Market shops were closed."
→ Both are effects of a common cause (e.g., heavy city-wide strike).
Independent Causes
Both statements are actions/decisions that are causes, but completely unrelated to each other.
"Gold prices went up" & "Government reduced corporate taxes."
→ Both are causes, but independent events. No logical overlap.
The "Because" Test
Combine both statements: "[Statement A] happened BECAUSE [Statement B] happened." If it sounds logical, B is the cause and A is the effect.
Test: "Sales increased BECAUSE of the discount campaign."
→ Valid logic → Campaign = Cause, Sales = Effect.
2. The 5 Option Patterns in SSC CGL
Every SSC CGL question on this topic uses these five precise logic classes:
A
Statement I is Cause & II is Effect: Statement I occurred first, directly forcing the outcome in Statement II.
B
Statement II is Cause & I is Effect: Statement II occurred first, directly forcing the outcome in Statement I.
C
Both are Independent Causes: Both statements are reasons/events that can trigger effects, but are totally independent from each other.
D
Both are Effects of Independent Causes: Both are outcomes, but their driving reasons are completely separate and distinct.
E
Both are Effects of a Common Cause: Both statements are outcomes driven by the same single underlying parent event.
3. 20 Practice Questions (Solved)
Question 01Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The government has increased the prices of petrol and diesel. II. Public transport companies have announced a hike in bus fares.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: A) I is the cause and II is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Test using 'Because': 'Public transport companies hiked bus fares BECAUSE the government increased petrol/diesel prices.' This is highly logical.
Step 2: Fuel is the major operating expense for transport. An increase in petrol/diesel prices directly drives up the operational costs of buses.
Conclusion: Statement I is the cause and Statement II is the effect. Option A.
Question 02Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Most citizens of the city stayed indoors today. II. A severe, high-velocity cyclonic storm made landfall near the city coast early this morning.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Test using 'Because': 'Citizens stayed indoors today BECAUSE a severe cyclonic storm made landfall.' This makes complete logical sense.
Step 2: Landfall of a severe cyclonic storm is a dangerous natural event, directly causing citizens to remain indoors for safety.
Conclusion: Statement II is the cause and Statement I is its effect. Option B.
Question 03Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The municipal authorities have warned citizens to drink only boiled water. II. A large number of waterborne disease cases have been reported in the local hospitals.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: A surge in waterborne disease cases represents a major public health emergency. This serves as the cause.
Step 2: As a direct corrective effect, the municipal authorities issued an advisory telling citizens to boil water to prevent further infection.
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 04Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The reserve bank has reduced interest rates on home loans. II. The real estate market has seen a sudden surge in housing sales.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: A) I is the cause and II is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Test: 'Sales surged BECAUSE home loan rates were reduced.' Since cheaper loans make buying houses highly affordable, this directly triggers higher home purchases.
Step 2: Reducing interest rates is the financial cause; the surge in home sales is the positive market effect.
Conclusion: I is the cause and II is the effect. Option A.
Question 05Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Major colleges in the city remained closed today. II. A local political party called for a city-wide bandh (strike) to protest a new bill.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: The call for a city-wide strike (bandh) disrupts transport and security.
Step 2: To protect students and prevent transport issues, colleges decided to remain closed. Closure is the effect of the strike.
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 06Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The prices of gold have surged significantly in the global market. II. The government has announced a massive tax subsidy for domestic solar panel manufacturers.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: C) Both I and II are independent causes
Solution
Step 1: Gold price movements are driven by global macroeconomic factors and investment trends. This is a cause.
Step 2: Solar panel tax subsidies are driven by environmental and energy policies. This is also a cause.
Step 3: There is no logical or direct relationship between solar subsidies and global gold rates. They are entirely separate events.
Conclusion: Both statements are independent causes. Option C.
Question 07Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The air quality index (AQI) of the capital city has degraded to the 'severe' category. II. Crop residue burning (stubby burning) has increased significantly in the neighboring agricultural states.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Crop residue burning in agricultural fields releases massive smoke and particulates.
Step 2: The wind transports this smoke to the capital, directly causing the AQI to drop to a severe category.
Conclusion: Statement II is the cause and Statement I is its effect. Option B.
Question 08Exam Pattern
Statements: I. A major IT firm laid off 15% of its workforce globally. II. Global economic slowdown and reduced client spending have impacted the tech sector.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Tech sector client spending drops due to global macro slowdown (Cause).
Step 2: As a direct result to cut costs, tech companies are forced to lay off employees (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 09Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Farmers are suffering from low crop yields in the district this year. II. The district received scanty and delayed rainfall during the monsoon season.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Delayed and insufficient rainfall directly results in drought-like conditions for fields.
Step 2: The water shortage ruins crop maturity, leading directly to poor crop yields.
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 10Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The price of vegetables in the city markets has decreased by 30%. II. A bumper crop of vegetables has entered the wholesale agricultural markets this season.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: A bumper harvest dramatically increases market supply (Cause).
Step 2: Under basic market laws of demand and supply, an oversupply directly pulls down retail vegetable prices (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 11Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The state government has ordered schools to suspend outdoor activities between 11 AM and 4 PM. II. The local weather bureau has issued a severe heatwave red alert for the next seven days.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: A severe heatwave alert indicates dangerously high temperatures during midday (Cause).
Step 2: To protect children from heat stroke, the government ordered schools to ban outdoor midday activities (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 12Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Police increased patrolling and checkpoint inspections across the city last night. II. A major jewelry store in the city center was looted by armed robbers yesterday afternoon.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: A major armed robbery occurs, exposing security gaps and raising public concern (Cause).
Step 2: In immediate response, the police department deploys units to increase night patrolling to secure roads (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 13Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Air ticket rates between Delhi and Mumbai have skyrocketed. II. There has been a major technical failure in the railway signaling system on the Delhi-Mumbai route, canceling major trains.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Major trains are cancelled due to track signaling failures on a major corridor.
Step 2: Stranded train passengers rush to book flight tickets, causing a massive surge in demand for flight tickets.
Step 3: Airlines increase ticket prices under dynamic pricing. Hence, plane rates skyrocket.
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 14Exam Pattern
Statements: I. Real estate prices in the suburban area have fallen. II. The government has decided to establish a massive chemical waste plant adjacent to the suburban locality.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Building a chemical waste plant nearby introduces noise, chemical risk, and bad odors (Cause).
Step 2: The suburb becomes highly undesirable for residential buyers, causing housing demand to drop and property prices to plunge (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 15Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The sales of woolens and thermal wear have spiked dramatically in the market. II. The city has recorded its lowest winter temperature in the last 20 years.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Extreme record cold hits the city (Cause).
Step 2: Citizens rush to markets to purchase protective winter gear to cope with the freeze (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 16Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The price of crude oil fell by 10% in the international market. II. Major domestic oil marketing companies in India reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by 3 Rupees per liter.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: A) I is the cause and II is its effect
Solution
Step 1: International crude oil prices drop, lowering import acquisition costs for domestic refineries (Cause).
Step 2: Companies pass on the benefits by cutting local petrol/diesel retail prices (Effect).
Conclusion: I is the cause and II is the effect. Option A.
Question 17Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The local sports club announced a complete suspension of outdoor swimming activities. II. Several members of the club complained of skin irritation and red eyes after swimming in the pool.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Swimmers suffer chlorine burns or bacterial infections, reporting skin irritation and red eyes to management (Cause).
Step 2: To sanitize the pool and run checks, the club management shuts down outdoor swimming activities (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 18Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The share price of Company X fell by 15% on the stock exchange today. II. Company X announced highly disappointing quarterly earnings with a massive decline in profits.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: B) II is the cause and I is its effect
Solution
Step 1: Company X releases a bad earnings report, showing high drops in profits (Cause).
Step 2: Investors lose confidence and sell the stock, causing its market price to drop by 15% (Effect).
Conclusion: II is the cause and I is the effect. Option B.
Question 19Exam Pattern
Statements: I. A massive fire broke out in the old commercial market district of the city. II. The municipal corporation has initiated a rigorous safety audit of all old buildings in the commercial district.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: A) I is the cause and II is its effect
Solution
Step 1: A massive fire breaks out, exposing safety hazards in the old commercial district (Cause).
Step 2: To prevent future disasters, the municipal body launches safety inspections/audits of old buildings (Effect).
Conclusion: I is the cause and II is the effect. Option A.
Question 20Exam Pattern
Statements: I. The government has decided to reduce the import duty on copper. II. Domestic production of copper has seen a record growth of 40% this fiscal year.
A) I is the cause and II is its effect
B) II is the cause and I is its effect
C) Both I and II are independent causes
D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
E) Both I and II are effects of some common cause
Correct answer: D) Both I and II are effects of independent causes
Solution
Step 1: Statement I is an outcome/policy effect (reducing import duties due to global trends or local copper deficits).
Step 2: Statement II is also an outcome (record domestic copper production due to mining expansions).
Step 3: If local production is at a record high, the government wouldn't need to reduce import duties to solve shortages. These are distinct, conflicting trends driven by separate industrial and trade decisions.
Conclusion: Both I and II are effects of independent causes. Option D.
Strategy errors to avoid
!
Reversing Cause and Effect
Always trace the sequence of events in time. The cause must always happen first to create the effect. Don't confuse the response action with the trigger event.
!
Misidentifying Common Cause
If two events happen in the same location or time but aren't directly causing one another, check if there's an unstated common root cause driving both outcomes simultaneously.