Introduction to Cause and Effect in Logical Reasoning
Cause and Effect is a crucial part of logical reasoning where two statements are given, and you must determine the relationship between them. The goal is to identify whether:
- The first statement is the cause, and the second is the effect.
- The second statement is the cause, and the first is the effect.
- Both statements are independent causes of a common effect.
- The two statements are effects of independent causes.
- The two statements are related but not directly cause-effect.
Key Concepts & Definitions
- Cause: The reason or action that leads to a result.
- Effect: The outcome or consequence of a cause.
- Independent Causes: Two separate events that lead to a common outcome.
- Effects of Independent Causes: Two results that arise from different causes.
Tips & Tricks to Solve Cause-Effect Questions
1. Identify the Chronological Order
- The cause must always precede the effect.
- Example:
- Statement 1: It rained heavily.
- Statement 2: The streets were flooded.
- Analysis: Raining (cause) happened before flooding (effect).
2. Check for Direct Relationship
- Ask: “Does Statement 1 logically lead to Statement 2?”
- Example:
- Statement 1: The company increased salaries.
- Statement 2: Employee productivity improved.
- Analysis: Higher salaries (cause) can lead to better productivity (effect).
3. Look for Independent Causes
- If both statements seem like causes but lead to a common effect, they are independent.
- Example:
- Statement 1: The government imposed a tax on luxury goods.
- Statement 2: Inflation rates increased.
- Analysis: Both could independently affect the economy, but neither directly causes the other.
4. Check for Effects of Independent Causes
- If both statements seem like effects but don’t influence each other, they may arise from different causes.
- Example:
- Statement 1: Car sales dropped.
- Statement 2: Air pollution levels decreased.
- Analysis: Both could be effects of different causes (e.g., economic recession and stricter environmental laws).
5. Eliminate Illogical Connections
- If no clear cause-effect relationship exists, the statements may be unrelated.
Sample Questions with Explanations
Question 1
Statements:
- The government increased fuel prices.
- People started using public transport more frequently.
Options:
A) Statement 1 is the cause, and statement 2 is the effect.
B) Statement 2 is the cause, and statement 1 is the effect.
C) Both statements are independent causes.
D) Both statements are effects of independent causes.
Answer: A
Explanation: Higher fuel prices (cause) lead to increased public transport usage (effect).
Question 2
Statements:
- The school introduced a new coding curriculum.
- Students’ interest in computer science increased.
Options:
A) Statement 1 is the cause, and statement 2 is the effect.
B) Statement 2 is the cause, and statement 1 is the effect.
C) Both statements are independent causes.
D) Both statements are effects of independent causes.
Answer: A
Explanation: Introducing coding (cause) leads to increased interest in CS (effect).
Question 3
Statements:
- The company laid off many employees.
- The company’s stock prices fell sharply.
Options:
A) Statement 1 is the cause, and statement 2 is the effect.
B) Statement 2 is the cause, and statement 1 is the effect.
C) Both statements are independent causes.
D) Both statements are effects of independent causes.
Answer: A
Explanation: Layoffs (cause) can lead to a drop in stock prices (effect).
Final Strategies for Exams
✅ Read Carefully: Misinterpreting statements leads to wrong answers.
✅ Apply the “Because” Test: Insert “because” between statements to check logic.
✅ Avoid Assumptions: Stick to given information; don’t add outside knowledge.
✅ Practice Regularly: Solve multiple questions to recognize patterns.
