Compare/Contrast and Cause/Effect Text Structures

Policeman sometimes use dogs to help them in their line of work. Dogs have a good sense of smell. This makes them useful in tracking down outlaws. Dogs can also help find stolen goods.

CAUSE: Dogs have a good sense of smell.

What was the EFFECT?

• They are good at stealing.

• They work for outlaws.

• They can track down outlaws.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

Name the red part of the sentence.
Since the weather was so hot, we went to the swimming pool.

• Cause
• Effect

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

One reason streams become polluted is storm water runoff. When rain or melted snow runs off, it carries trash from sidewalks and streets with it. These pollutants flow into storm sewers or directly into a lake, stream, or river. Then, bacteria from the trash spread to create health hazards. The trash itself can choke and suffocate ducks, fish, turtles, and birds. Used motor oil, paint, and insecticides can poison fish.

According to this passage, which of the following is caused by storm water runoff?

• Swimming pools fill up.
• Snow melts and runs off.
• Trash chokes ducks, fish, and turtles.
• People leave trash on sidewalks and streets.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

Dashiell Hammett was an American writer.   He worked as a detective when he was young.  Because of this, his detective stories are very exciting and seem true-to-life.
CAUSE: Dashiell Hammett worked as a detective.
What was the EFFECT?

• He became an American.
• His stories seem true-to-life.
• He wrote only true stories.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

Scientists are not sure of all the causes of tornadoes. Tornadoes happen when a cold wind high up meets warmer air and warmer winds lower down. This causes the winds to swirl and the warmer air from below rushes upwards at terrific speed. As the tornado moves forward, this warm wind rushing upwards can pick up any objects in its path.

Which of these is NOT an effect of when cold wind high up meets warmer air and warmer winds?

• a tornado forms

• the winds swirl

• scientists find causes of tornadoes

• wind rushes pick up objects

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

Dolphins are one of the smartest mammals in the animal kingdom. Because of this, they are able to do a lot of things that humans can do as well. They are able to solve problems by using different tools. They are also able to perform intelligence tests and always score very well. They are great at developing communication because of their intelligence as well.

The CAUSE of dolphins being able to develop communication is...

• they use tools

• they are very intelligent

• they score well on tests

• they can talk like humans

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.3

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

The Fourth of July and Veteran's Day are both U.S. holidays.  However, the Fourth of July celebrates our independence and Veteran's Day celebrates military veterans.  How are these holidays different?

• Both holidays are celebrated in the U.S.
• Fourth of July celebrates independence, while Veteran's Day celebrates veterans.
• Both holidays are in the summer.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Crocodiles and Alligators are covered with scales and have backbones. They have short legs and long, powerful tails. Also, baby crocodiles and alligators both hatch from eggs.
According to the paragraph, how are alligators and crocodiles alike?

• They both have short legs and powerful tails.
• They both eat eggs.
• They are both green.
• They both have hairy skin.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

Poison ivy and poison oak are woody plants that grow in almost any habitat and are very similar in appearance. Both poison oak and poison ivy have berrylike fruit and brown stems. But poison ivy acts more like a vine than a bush and can grow high in trees. The fruit of poison ivy is gray and smooth. On the other hand, poison oak acts more like a bush than a vine. The fruit of poison oak is hairy instead of smooth.

How are poison ivy and poison oak similar?

• Both are vines

• Both have hairy fruit

• Both look exactly alike

• Both have berrylike fruit

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

Poison ivy and poison oak are woody plants that grow in almost any habitat and are very similar in appearance. Both poison oak and poison ivy have berrylike fruit and brown stems. But poison ivy acts more like a vine than a bush and can grow high in trees. The fruit of poison ivy is gray and smooth. On the other hand, poison oak acts more like a bush than a vine. The fruit of poison oak is hairy instead of smooth.

How are poison ivy and poison oak different?

• Poison ivy is a woody plant, but poison oak is not.

• Poison ivy has smooth fruit, poison oak has hairy fruit.

• Poison oak can live in almost any habitat, poison ivy cannot.

• Poison oak has a brown stem and poison ivy has a green stem.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3