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Logical Reasoning · Unit 6

Cause and Effect: MDCAT Notes and MCQs

Cause-and-effect reasoning asserts or denies that one event causes another.

Typical answer options (two statements A and B)

  1. A is the cause and B is its effect.
  2. B is the cause and A is its effect.
  3. Both A and B are independent causes.
  4. Both A and B are effects of independent causes.
  5. Both A and B are effects of some common cause.

Tips

  • The cause happens first; the effect follows logically and directly.
  • Look for an immediate, direct link — not a remote possibility.
  • Correlation is not causation: two things happening together may share a common cause (e.g. ice-cream sales and drowning both rise in summer).
  • Reject superstitions (black cat, broken mirror) — no valid causal mechanism.
PMDC learning outcomes for this unit
  • Cause and effect: 5.6.1 Give reasons for incidents / events and accidents.
  • Cause and effect: 5.6.2 Reject false beliefs through valid arguments.
  • Cause and effect: 5.6.3 Build positive thinking in society through strong arguments.

Cause and Effect MCQs with answers

Practise and track your score →
Q1
A: The government increased fuel prices. B: Public transport fares went up.
AA is the cause and B is its effect
BB is the cause and A is its effect
CBoth are independent causes
DBoth are effects of a common cause
Show answer
Answer: A (A is the cause and B is its effect). Higher fuel cost directly raises transport fares.
Q2
A: Sales of ice-cream increased. B: Cases of drowning increased.
AA is the cause of B
BB is the cause of A
CBoth are independent causes
DBoth are effects of a common cause (hot summer)
Show answer
Answer: D (Both are effects of a common cause (hot summer)). Hot weather increases both swimming and ice-cream sales — correlation, not causation.
Q3
A: There was heavy rainfall in the catchment area. B: The river overflowed its banks.
ABoth are effects of independent causes
BA is the cause and B is its effect
CB is the cause and A is its effect
DBoth are independent causes
Show answer
Answer: B (A is the cause and B is its effect). Heavy rain directly causes the river to flood.
Q4
'A black cat crossed my path, so I had an accident.' This belief is:
AA course of action
BA valid cause-effect relation
CA false belief with no causal link
DA deductive argument
Show answer
Answer: C (A false belief with no causal link). There is no causal mechanism — it's a superstition.
Q5
A: Many students have started wearing glasses. B: Students spend long hours on mobile screens.
AA is the cause and B is its effect
BB is a probable cause and A is its effect
CBoth are independent
DBoth are effects of a common cause
Show answer
Answer: B (B is a probable cause and A is its effect). Prolonged screen time strains eyes, leading to vision problems.
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