Question 1

Statements: The prices of petrol and diesel in the domestic market have remained unchanged for the past few months. The crude oil prices in the international market have gone up substantially in the last few months.

Accepted Answer

Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes. The rise in international crude oil prices does not directly explain why domestic petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged. Each statement can be explained by separate factors, so they are effects of independent causes.

Question 2

Statements: The government has recently fixed the fees for professional courses offered by the unaided institutions, which are much lower than the fees charged last year. The parents of aspiring students launched a severe agitation last year protesting against the high fees charged by the

Accepted Answer

Statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect. The parents’ agitation against high fees is a plausible reason for the government later fixing lower fees. Thus, the second statement is the cause and the first is its effect.

Question 3

Statements: The Reserve Bank of India has recently put restrictions on a few small banks in the country. The small banks in the private and co-operative sector in India are not in a position to withstand the competition of the bigger banks in the public sector.

Accepted Answer

Statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect. If small banks are unable to compete with larger public-sector banks, they may become financially vulnerable. That can lead the RBI to impose restrictions, making statement II the cause and statement I the effect.

Question 4

Statements: All the schools in the area had to be kept closed for most of the week. Many parents have withdrawn their children from the local schools.

Accepted Answer

Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes. Closing schools for most of the week and parents withdrawing children are not necessarily cause and effect of each other. Both can result from separate causes such as unrest, safety concerns, or dissatisfaction, so they are independent effects.

IBPS PO Reasoning: Cause and Effect questions with solutions

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