Assertion and Reason Cheat Sheet

Assertion and Reason Cheat Sheet

Quick Revision

An assertion-reason question gives two statements — an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). You must judge whether each is true, and whether R correctly explains A.

1. The Standard Options

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
(e) Both A and R are false

2. The Method

1. Decide if A is true or false on its own.
2. Decide if R is true or false on its own.
3. If both are true, ask: does R actually explain why A is true?

Only when R is the real cause of A do you choose option (a).

3. Worked Example

• A: Ice floats on water.
• R: Ice is less dense than water.

Both are true, and R is exactly why ice floats — so the answer is (a).

If instead R were "Water is a liquid" (true, but not the reason), the answer would be (b).

4. Exam Quick Tips

• Judge A and R separately first, then the link — never jump straight to the explanation.
• Two true statements do not make (a) unless R is the cause of A.
• A reason can be a true fact yet still fail to explain the assertion.

Keep revising with the rest of the Reasoning section:

• All Reasoning topics
• Statement and Inferences Cheat Sheet
• Conditional Statements Cheat Sheet

How this was made: Drafted with AI assistance; spot-checked by the editor on 31 October 2026.