ITL11: Cause and Effect

Little Johnny Wiggins fell down a well on the farm.  His family looked for him.  Finally, at sundown, Mr. Wiggins found Johnny.  He had been trapped in the well for three hours.
CAUSE: Johnny Wiggins fell down a well.
What was the EFFECT?

• He was trapped for three hours.

• His mother found him at sundown.

• He was visiting the farm.

Why are flowers colorful?

• To be pretty.

• To confuse animals

• To attract animals

• To save water

Which clue word signals an effect?

• Because

• As a result

• Since

• Due to

Mary lost her homework, therefore she got a zero and lunch detention.
The two effects in this sentence are she got a lunch detention and ...

• Mary lost her homework

• She got a zero

• The teacher is mean

• The dog ate her homework

Which sets of key words are used to show cause and effect relationships?

• because, and, since, so

• answer, question, problem, solved

• first, next, then, last

• different, the same, both

What is a cause?

• The result of something happening

• The last thing that happened

• Something that causes something else to happen

• Something that happens

What is an effect?

• Something that causes something else

• What happens because of a cause

• The first thing that happens

• Something that happens

Jason and Kate were not alone on the path.  They could hear footsteps behind them.  "Walk quickly," whispered Jason.  "I think somebody is following us."
EFFECT: Jason thought somebody was following him.
What was the CAUSE?

• He could hear footsteps.

• He saw Kate on the path.

• He and Kate were alone.

At one time, policemen rode horses or went on foot.  Today, outlaws use fast cars to get away.  Many policemen now ride in fast cars or motorcycles.  They could not chase a fast car on horseback.  
CAUSE: Outlaws use fast cars to get away.
What was the EFFECT?

• Policemen chase cars on foot.

• Horses are used by most policemen.

• Policemen ride in cars or on motorcycles.

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.