Cause and Effect

We were driving toward the city when it happened. The car went slower and slower. We were running out of gas! Now we would never get there on time.

Cause: We were running out of gas!

What was the effect?

• A. We kept driving toward the city.

• B. We went to a gas station.

• C. We would not get there in time.

Dee had always wanted to go in a plane. One day, her uncle gave her a surprise. He gave her a flying lesson. Dee did not juts ride in a plane. She flew the plane herself!

EFFECT: Dee flew a plane herself.

What was the CAUSE?

• A. She liked to ride in the plane.

• B. She gave her uncle a surprise.

• C. Her uncle gave her a flying lesson.

Eva visited the Grand Canyon. She wanted to drive to the bottom of the canyon. "It's too steep for a car," said the guide. "You will have to ride a donkey to the bottom."

CAUSE: The canyon is too steep for a car.

What was the EFFECT?

• A. You can drive to the bottom.

• B. You must ride a donkey to the bottom.

• C. You need a guide at the Grand Canyon.

Rick and Bruce went for a long walk in the desert. They saw many desert animals. Rick thought he saw a rattlesnake. "Lookout!" he cried. Bruce laughed. "It's just a harmless lizard," Bruce said.

EFFECT: "Look out!" cried Rick.

What was the CAUSE?

• A. A lizard was on his arm.

• B. He saw a desert rat.

• C. He thought he saw a rattlesnake.

Jesse and Anna were sailing on the lake. Dark clouds covered the sky in the east. It looked as if a bad storm was coming Jesse turned the boat in toward the shore.

EFFECT: Jesse turned the boat into the shore.

What was the CAUSE?

• A. It looked as if a storm was coming.

• B. It was almost nighttime.

• C. The boat was sailing east.

John lived in the country. One Saturday, he visited New York City. It was big and exciting, but too noisy and crowded. John was glad to get back home where it was quiet.

EFFECT: John was glad to be home.

What was the CAUSE?

• A. The city was big and exciting.

• B. The city was too noisy and crowded.

• C. He wanted to move to the city.

King Richard was being held in prison. Cruel King John was running the country. Robin Hood wanted to raise money to get Richard out of prison. He and his men began stealing from the rich friends of King John.

CAUSE: Robin Hood wanted to get King Richard out of prison.

What was the EFFECT?

• A. He stole money from rich people.

• B. He ran the country with King John.

• C. He and King John stole some money.

The move West was one of the great adventures in American history. Families left their homes and set off in wagons. The trip was dangerous. Thanks to those brave people, the country today stretches from sea to sea.

CAUSE: Brave families went on a dangerous trip west.

What was the effect?

• A. They made houses out of wagons.

• B. They wanted to go to the seashore.

• C. The country now stretches from sea to sea.

A rainbow is made when sunlight hits drops of water in the air. On a rainy day, when the sun comes through the clouds, look up. You may see stripes of color in the air. That is a rainbow.

EFFECT: You may see stripes of color in the air.

What was the CAUSE?

• A. It is a very sunny day.

• B. Sunlight is hitting drops of water.

• C. The rain is pouring from the clouds.

It was a dark, rainy day. Big clouds in the sky made everything look gray. We heard thunder and saw lightning over the hill. It was a good day to stay inside.

CAUSE: There were big clouds in the sky.

What was the EFFECT?

• A. It was a good day to go outside.

• B. Everything looked gray.

• C. We saw thunder and heard lightning.