Understanding Cause and Effect

Give an example of a cause that does not logically lead to an effect.

• I washed my car today; therefore it will rain tomorrow.

• The habitat of polar bears is threatened as a result of global warming and the melting of large parts of the Arctic Circle.

• Lightning can cause fire.

Why might people feel that washing their car causes it to rain?

• Rain is a sign that the car is clean.

• People wash their cars only when it rains.

• Washing a car attracts rain clouds.

• People often blame outside factors when things don't go their way.

Explain how lightning can cause fire.

• Lightning can ignite flammable materials due to its extreme heat and electrical energy.

• Lightning can cool the air and prevent fires.

• Lightning has no effect on flammable materials.

• Lightning only occurs during the day.

How does global warming affect polar bears?

• Polar bears thrive in warmer temperatures due to increased hunting opportunities.

• Global warming has no effect on polar bears' habitat or survival.

• Global warming negatively impacts polar bears by reducing their sea ice habitat, making it harder for them to hunt and survive.

• Global warming increases the polar bear population by providing more food sources.

What effect might staying up late to watch a movie have on test performance?

• Staying up late may decrease test performance due to lack of sleep.

• Watching a movie can enhance memory retention.

• Staying up late can improve focus during tests.

• Late-night movies have no impact on test scores.

What is an example of a cause that leads to a negative effect?

• Recycling causes more waste and pollution.

• Pollution leads to health issues and environmental damage.

• Overfishing results in healthier fish populations.

• Deforestation increases biodiversity.

Identify the hook.

• It is tempting, and often comforting, to think that humans control their fates, but people cannot control every aspect of their environments.

• Many people think that the weather has little influence in their lives besides determining what clothes they wear on a particular day.

• The weather has in fact caused world history to radically shift in important ways that are still felt today.

Identify the thesis statement.

• It is tempting, and often comforting, to think that humans control their fates, but people cannot control every aspect of their environments.

• Many people think that the weather has little influence in their lives besides determining what clothes they wear on a particular day.

• The weather has in fact caused world history to radically shift in important ways that are still felt today.

Which is the topic sentence?

• Without these monsoons, Japan might have been defeated by the Mongols and thus lost its identity as a unique culture.

• Numerous examples from world history document the long-term effects of weather in the formation of cultures and nations.

• In the 13^th century, Khubilai Khan attempted to invade Japan twice. Two monsoons, however, caused him to end his attacks. More than 100,000 lives were lost.

Which is the concluding sentence that links the evidence to main idea of the paragraph?

• The American troops were poorly organized and lacked sufficient resources to fight effectively. Nonetheless, a heavy fog rolled in, so the American forces were able to retreat, regroup, and survive to fight. Hence, the United States was not defeated in its struggle for freedom.

• Consequently, today’s United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland does not include the United States; it is not a commonwealth of a mother country, as Canada and Australia are.

• In the early years of America’s Revolutionary War, it appeared likely that the British would crush the armies of its colonial territory.