Cause & Effect

Subject: Reasoning | Frequency: 1-2 questions per APPSC paper | Time: 30-45 sec/question

Introduction

Two events are given. You must determine the relationship: which is the cause, which is the effect, whether they are independent, or whether they share a common cause. The "because" test is the fastest technique: insert "because" between the statements and check which direction makes a logical sentence.

Core Method

1. Read both statements carefully — understand each event independently
2. Check temporal sequence — which event logically comes first?
3. Check logical connection — does Event A directly lead to Event B?
4. Apply the "because" test — "Statement II because Statement I" (if logical → A is answer)
5. Classify the relationship using the standard answer options

Standard Answer Options

Worked Examples — Easy

Q1: I: The government imposed heavy fines for littering. II: Public places became cleaner.

• Fines deter littering → places become cleaner
• "Places became cleaner BECAUSE government imposed fines" — logical
• Answer: A (I is cause, II is effect)

Q2: I: Prices of petrol increased significantly. II: People started using public transport more.

• Higher petrol costs → people switch to cheaper transport
• Answer: A (I is cause, II is effect)

Q3: I: There was a heavy downpour. II: Many areas got waterlogged.

• Heavy rain → waterlogging
• Answer: A (I is cause, II is effect)

Worked Examples — Medium

Q4: I: The company announced a 20% salary hike. II: Employee turnover decreased sharply.

• Better pay → fewer people leave
• Answer: A (I is cause, II is effect)

Q5: I: Sales of umbrellas increased. II: More people are buying raincoats.

• Both are effects of the same cause: rainy season / heavy rainfall
• Neither caused the other directly
• Answer: E (Both are effects of a common cause)

Q6: I: The school declared a holiday. II: Heavy snowfall was predicted.

• Predicted snowfall → school declares holiday
• "School declared holiday BECAUSE heavy snowfall predicted" — logical
• Answer: B (II is cause, I is effect)

Worked Examples — Hard

Q7: I: India won the cricket world cup. II: The stock market rose by 500 points.

• No direct causal link between cricket and stock markets
• These are unrelated events
• Answer: D (Both are effects of independent causes)

Q8: I: Many farmers shifted to organic farming. II: Consumer demand for organic food increased.

• Which came first? Increased demand → farmers shift to meet demand
• "Farmers shifted BECAUSE consumer demand increased" — logical
• Answer: B (II is cause, I is effect)

Q9: I: The city experienced a power blackout. II: Traffic signals stopped working and caused jams.

• Power outage → traffic signals fail → jams
• Answer: A (I is cause, II is effect)

Shortcuts & Tricks

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing correlation with causation — two things happening together does not mean one caused the other
2. Wrong temporal ordering — assuming Statement I is always the cause
3. Missing the common cause — two effects might share an underlying cause (E)
4. Overthinking independent events — if truly no link, choose D
5. Ignoring indirect causation — A leads to B leads to C means A causes C

Exam Strategy

• Apply the "because" test first — fastest technique
• APPSC keeps difficulty at medium
• Government policy → effect is the most common pattern
• Time: 30-45 seconds per question
• When two similar behaviors are described (both purchases, both increases), think "common cause" (E)
• Negative marking: -0.333 — the "because" test gives high confidence

Practice Questions

1. I: Roads became slippery. II: It rained heavily. → B (rain caused slippery roads)
2. I: Company profits increased. II: Company launched a new product. → B (new product caused profit increase)
3. I: Demand for AC increased. II: Demand for cold drinks increased. → E (common cause: summer heat)
4. I: A famous actor died. II: Share market crashed. → D (independent causes)
5. I: Government banned plastic bags. II: People started using cloth bags. → A (ban caused behavior change)

Key Terms / Formulas