Cause and Effect Structure

Forest fires sometimes begin through natural events. Very little rainfall and dry forests are ideal situations for fires to start. All it takes is a lightning strike, sparking a fire that can destroy the entire forest. Often, forest fires are so large that firefighters can't stop them, and these fires sometimes threaten homes and businesses. Then, people are forced to flee the fire and hope that their property isn't destroyed.

Based on this passage, what is the initial cause of some forest fires?

• a lightening strike

• little rainfal

• campfires

• dry forests

Suri and Dawson are rock climbing. Suri decides to attempt a new skill she has learned. At first, she is successful, but then she loses her grip and falls. Suddenly, the safety ropes catch her, but she smashes her hand on the rock.

What is the effect of Suri's fall?

• Suri decides to try a new skill.

• Suri smashes her hand.

• At first, she is successful.

• Suri is rock climbing.

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.

Because Amelia was determined to be a famous actor one day, she auditioned for every school play, signed up for after-school acting classes, and subscribed to a special magazine for actors.

What causes Amelia to audition for school plays, sign up for acting classes, and subscribe to an acting magazine?

• her determination to be a well-known actor

• her dream of being rich one day

• her determination to get the lead in the school play

• her willingness to try new activities

Which of the following words signal cause-and-effect organization?

• since, as a result of, due to

• what, when, where

• how, how much, what kind

• before, after, nearly

Cause of Colds

The common cold is caused by a virus, which travels through the air into the nose. There are more than 100 types of cold viruses! The most common is the rhinovirus.

Which sentence from this passage reflects the main idea?

• The common cold is caused by a virus, which travels through the air into the nose.

• There are more than 100 types of cold viruses!

• The most common is the rhinovirus.

• Everyone gets colds.

The design of roller coasters is based on the laws of physics.

Which of the following details does NOT support this main idea?

• There are no engines on roller coasters; kinetic energy drives the coaster forward.
• The amount of friction on the wheels affects the speed of the ride.
• Wooden roller coasters are scarier than steel roller coasters.
• Inertia is the force that keeps you in your seat during a loop-the-loop.