Cause & Effect — Identify the Relationship:\nI. Indian people are among the most religious in the world.\nII. India has innumerable places of worship across faiths.\nWhich option best captures the causal link between I and II?

Introduction / Context:
The item juxtaposes a population trait (high religiosity) with a built environment outcome (many places of worship). We must decide which drives which.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• I: High religiosity among people.
• II: Numerous temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, etc.
• Assume community demand often leads to construction of religious sites.

Concept / Approach:
Demand-driven infrastructure: a more religious populace (I) creates/maintains more worship spaces (II). The reverse (II→I) claims buildings create religiosity, which is weaker.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical growth of shrines usually corresponds to devout populations; removing II would not necessarily erase I, supporting I→II rather than II→I.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Reversing direction lacks support; independence ignores the intuitive linkage; “unrelated” is untenable.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating correlation with causation in the wrong direction.

Final Answer:
Option A: Statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect.