PPT: Cause & Effects | Logical Reasoning for CLAT PDF Download

 Page 1


Cause and 
Effects
Page 2


Cause and 
Effects
The Cause and Effect 
Reasoning
Nature of Questions
Questions in this section 
appear straightforward but 
often contain hidden 
complexities designed to 
test your analytical 
thinking.
Common Confusion
Many candidates struggle 
with these problems due to 
their tricky wording and 
the subtle relationships 
between causes and 
effects.
Key Concepts
Understanding the fundamental principles of cause and effect 
is vital for tackling these questions effectively and avoiding 
common pitfalls.
Before diving deeper into this topic, it's important to recognize 
that mastering cause and effect reasoning requires both 
conceptual understanding and practical application through 
examples and practice questions.
Page 3


Cause and 
Effects
The Cause and Effect 
Reasoning
Nature of Questions
Questions in this section 
appear straightforward but 
often contain hidden 
complexities designed to 
test your analytical 
thinking.
Common Confusion
Many candidates struggle 
with these problems due to 
their tricky wording and 
the subtle relationships 
between causes and 
effects.
Key Concepts
Understanding the fundamental principles of cause and effect 
is vital for tackling these questions effectively and avoiding 
common pitfalls.
Before diving deeper into this topic, it's important to recognize 
that mastering cause and effect reasoning requires both 
conceptual understanding and practical application through 
examples and practice questions.
What are the Cause and their Effect?
1
Basic Definition
Cause and effect are 
related ideas where one 
thing leads to another; 
when something occurs 
(the cause), it results in a 
certain outcome (the 
effect). In reasoning, a 
cause can result in either 
a positive or negative 
outcome.
2
Analytical Testing
Questions focus on 
testing a candidate's 
analytical and logical 
thinking skills by 
examining their 
understanding of how 
events are connected. A 
cause is the logical reason 
for an event, while effects 
are what happen because 
of that event.
3
Necessary 
Conditions
For a cause to be 
considered valid, it must 
be either sufficient or 
necessary. A necessary 
condition is something 
that must be present for 
an event to take place; it is 
crucial for the event to 
happen.
Usually, each question presents two statements, and students need to determine if the cause is 
independent or if it is a shared cause that impacts others. Understanding these relationships clarifies how 
events are linked.
Page 4


Cause and 
Effects
The Cause and Effect 
Reasoning
Nature of Questions
Questions in this section 
appear straightforward but 
often contain hidden 
complexities designed to 
test your analytical 
thinking.
Common Confusion
Many candidates struggle 
with these problems due to 
their tricky wording and 
the subtle relationships 
between causes and 
effects.
Key Concepts
Understanding the fundamental principles of cause and effect 
is vital for tackling these questions effectively and avoiding 
common pitfalls.
Before diving deeper into this topic, it's important to recognize 
that mastering cause and effect reasoning requires both 
conceptual understanding and practical application through 
examples and practice questions.
What are the Cause and their Effect?
1
Basic Definition
Cause and effect are 
related ideas where one 
thing leads to another; 
when something occurs 
(the cause), it results in a 
certain outcome (the 
effect). In reasoning, a 
cause can result in either 
a positive or negative 
outcome.
2
Analytical Testing
Questions focus on 
testing a candidate's 
analytical and logical 
thinking skills by 
examining their 
understanding of how 
events are connected. A 
cause is the logical reason 
for an event, while effects 
are what happen because 
of that event.
3
Necessary 
Conditions
For a cause to be 
considered valid, it must 
be either sufficient or 
necessary. A necessary 
condition is something 
that must be present for 
an event to take place; it is 
crucial for the event to 
happen.
Usually, each question presents two statements, and students need to determine if the cause is 
independent or if it is a shared cause that impacts others. Understanding these relationships clarifies how 
events are linked.
Types of Causes
Immediate Cause
An immediate cause happens 
right before an effect takes 
place. For example, in a car 
crash involving an intoxicated 
driver, the crash itself is the 
immediate cause of death, 
while alcohol consumption is 
the proximate cause that led to 
impaired driving.
Principal Cause
The principal cause is the main 
reason for any event 
happening. An immediate 
cause might not always be the 
principal cause. Example: Rohit 
does not study, so he failed his 
exams. Failing is the result, and 
not studying is the principal 
cause.
Independent Cause
This relates to independent 
events in the question with no 
direct relationship to the given 
effect. Example: "I was tired 
from working all day, so I went 
to bed early. " Working all day is 
considered an independent 
cause of going to bed early.
When solving cause and effect questions, remember that principal and immediate causes differ - principal 
is the most important reason, while immediate is closest in time. Also pay attention to verb tenses, as they 
provide clues about the sequence of events and causal relationships.
Page 5


Cause and 
Effects
The Cause and Effect 
Reasoning
Nature of Questions
Questions in this section 
appear straightforward but 
often contain hidden 
complexities designed to 
test your analytical 
thinking.
Common Confusion
Many candidates struggle 
with these problems due to 
their tricky wording and 
the subtle relationships 
between causes and 
effects.
Key Concepts
Understanding the fundamental principles of cause and effect 
is vital for tackling these questions effectively and avoiding 
common pitfalls.
Before diving deeper into this topic, it's important to recognize 
that mastering cause and effect reasoning requires both 
conceptual understanding and practical application through 
examples and practice questions.
What are the Cause and their Effect?
1
Basic Definition
Cause and effect are 
related ideas where one 
thing leads to another; 
when something occurs 
(the cause), it results in a 
certain outcome (the 
effect). In reasoning, a 
cause can result in either 
a positive or negative 
outcome.
2
Analytical Testing
Questions focus on 
testing a candidate's 
analytical and logical 
thinking skills by 
examining their 
understanding of how 
events are connected. A 
cause is the logical reason 
for an event, while effects 
are what happen because 
of that event.
3
Necessary 
Conditions
For a cause to be 
considered valid, it must 
be either sufficient or 
necessary. A necessary 
condition is something 
that must be present for 
an event to take place; it is 
crucial for the event to 
happen.
Usually, each question presents two statements, and students need to determine if the cause is 
independent or if it is a shared cause that impacts others. Understanding these relationships clarifies how 
events are linked.
Types of Causes
Immediate Cause
An immediate cause happens 
right before an effect takes 
place. For example, in a car 
crash involving an intoxicated 
driver, the crash itself is the 
immediate cause of death, 
while alcohol consumption is 
the proximate cause that led to 
impaired driving.
Principal Cause
The principal cause is the main 
reason for any event 
happening. An immediate 
cause might not always be the 
principal cause. Example: Rohit 
does not study, so he failed his 
exams. Failing is the result, and 
not studying is the principal 
cause.
Independent Cause
This relates to independent 
events in the question with no 
direct relationship to the given 
effect. Example: "I was tired 
from working all day, so I went 
to bed early. " Working all day is 
considered an independent 
cause of going to bed early.
When solving cause and effect questions, remember that principal and immediate causes differ - principal 
is the most important reason, while immediate is closest in time. Also pay attention to verb tenses, as they 
provide clues about the sequence of events and causal relationships.
How to Solve Cause and Effect Questions
Distinguish 
Causes
Remember principal 
causes are the main 
reasons, while 
immediate causes 
happen closest in time 
to the effect.
Analyze Verb 
Tenses
Present perfect in 
both statements? Look 
for common 
connections between 
them.
Check Time 
Sequence
Present perfect 
followed by future 
tense indicates the 
first statement 
preceded the second.
Identify 
Chronology
Present perfect before 
present continuous 
shows the first 
statement occurred 
earlier.
Look for Antecedents
The sequencing of events determines what can logically cause something else.