Sequence, Cause/Effect, & Problem/Solution

Which transition word shows that two events happened at the same time?

• first

• finally

• meanwhile

Which transition word shows that an event happened after a long time?

• suddenly

• finally

• next

Read the sentences below.

Durell realized that his rabbit was missing. Then, he noticed tiny footprints on the table.

What does the transition word then show?

• It shows that Durell noticed footprints after he realized his rabbit was missing.

• It shows that Durell noticed footprints before he realized his rabbit was missing.

• It shows that Durell noticed footprints after a very long time.

Read the sentences below.

Durell followed the footprints into the hallway. He followed them down the hall and into the bathroom. Finally, Durell saw Slippers swimming happily in the tub!

What does the transition word finally show?

• It shows that the first thing that happened was Durell seeing Slippers in the tub.

  B

• It shows that Durell saw Slippers in the tub before he followed the footprints.

• It shows that Durell saw Slippers in the tub after following the footprints for a long time.

Read the sentences below.

Durell went to clean up the mess Slippers made in the hallway. Meanwhile, Slippers continued to splash around in the tub.

What does the transition word meanwhile show?

• It shows that Durell cleaned up before Slippers got in the tub.

• It shows that Durell waited for Slippers to stop splashing before he cleaned up.

  C

• It shows that Durell cleaned up at the same time that Slippers splashed in the tub.

Read the passage below.

In the 1860s, a writer in France had an idea. He wanted to give the US a gift that was a symbol of its independence. Years later, a sculptor designed this gift, the Statue of Liberty. After raising money for the statue, the French built it. Then, they took it apart. They put the pieces on a boat and shipped it across the ocean to the United States.

Which of the following shows the right order of events?

• 1. A writer in France decided to give the US a gift.

  2. A sculptor designed the Statue of Liberty.

  3. The French built the statue.

• 1. A sculptor designed the Statue of Liberty.

  2. The French built the statue.

  3. A writer in France decided to give the US a gift.

• 1. A writer in France decided to give the US a gift.

  2. The French built the statue.

  3. A sculptor designed the Statue of Liberty.

In the following sentence, what is the cause?

Since Jeremiah was sick, he didn’t take the math test.

• Jeremiah was sick

• he didn’t take the math test

• Since

In the following sentence, what is the effect?

The boy slipped due to the ice on the stairs.

• The boy slipped

• the ice on the stairs

• due to

In the following sentence, what signal word or phrase points out the cause?

As a result of studying daily, Cynthia earned 100% on her next science test.

• daily

• next

• As a result of

• studying

After school on Wednesday, Brendan found out that he made the baseball team. Which of the following could be a cause for Brendan making the baseball team?

• He went to dinner with his friends on Tuesday.

• He went to school on Wednesday.

• He practiced baseball twice a week all summer.

• He never watches the World Series.