Two statements are provided in the question. Read the statements carefully and determine if the two statements are independent causes, effects of independent causes or a common cause.

Statement A: Many students performed poorly in the final exams despite preparing hard.

Statement B: There was a sudden increase in the difficulty level of the exams this year.

A

Statement B is the cause and statement A is the effect

B

Statement A is the cause and statement B is the effect

C

Both are effects of independent causes.

D

Both are independent causes.