Cause & Effect — Prices vs weather shock. I. Vegetable prices in the local market have increased manifold in recent days. II. Incessant rains have created flood-like conditions in most rural parts of the state.
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Aif statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect.
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Bif statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect.
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Cif both the statements I and II are independent causes.
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Dif both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes.
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ENone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: if statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect.
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Weather shocks disrupt supply chains. Flood-like conditions reduce harvest, damage logistics, and raise prices. The pair asks whether the meteorological event (II) can immediately cause the price spike (I).
Given Data / Assumptions:
- II: Incessant rains → flood-like conditions in rural production zones.
- I: Recent substantial rise in vegetable prices locally.
- Floods impede harvesting and transport, cut supply, and increase costs.
Concept / Approach:Basic supply-demand logic: negative supply shock shifts the supply curve left, raising equilibrium prices, holding demand constant.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) II → I: Floods reduce effective supply / raise costs → higher market prices.2) I → II is implausible; price rise cannot cause the weather event.3) Select B accordingly.Verification / Alternative check:Price data often spike after weather-induced crop losses; this matches the stem.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:A reverses direction; C/D claim independence; here causality is direct.
Common Pitfalls:Overlooking transport bottlenecks as part of the effective supply reduction.
Final Answer:if statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect.