Cause and effect words

Which word typically introduces the result or outcome of an action?

• because

• since

• therefore

• due to

Answer explanation

'Therefore' is a word used to signal an effect or result. The other words ('because', 'since', 'due to') are used to introduce a cause or reason.

Match the cause (the first half of a sentence) with its logical effect (the second half) to form a complete and sensible sentence.

• ...consequently, they won the championship game.

• She studied the city map carefully before her trip

• ...therefore, its leaves turned brown and wilted.

• He forgot to water the plant for two weeks

• ...as a result, the nearby town was covered in a layer of ash.

• The team practiced relentlessly for months

• ...so she did not get lost while exploring.

• The volcano erupted with great force

Answer explanation

Each sentence part is matched to create a logical cause-and-effect relationship. The signal words ('consequently', 'as a result', 'therefore', 'so') correctly link the cause (the action) to its effect (the outcome).

Which word best completes the sentence: The game was cancelled _____ the heavy rain.

• consequently

• so

• due to

• as a result

Answer explanation

'Due to' correctly introduces the cause (the heavy rain) for the effect (the game's cancellation). The other options are effect words and would create an illogical sentence.

Sort these signal words into two categories: Words that Introduce a Cause or Words that Introduce an Effect.

Groups:

(a) Words that Introduce a Cause

,

(b) Words that Introduce an Effect

• as a result

• therefore

• led to

• because

• since

• consequently

Answer explanation

Words like 'since' and 'because' introduce the reason something happened (the cause). Words like 'consequently', 'therefore', 'as a result', and 'led to' introduce the outcome (the effect).

In the sentence, "The loud music prompted a complaint from the neighbors," what is the cause?

• The neighbors

• A complaint was made

• The loud music

• The time of day

Answer explanation

The loud music is the cause, as it is the action that led to the effect, which was the complaint from the neighbors. The word 'prompted' signals this relationship.

Which sentence shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship?

• My friend likes to play soccer, and I enjoy reading books.

• Since the battery was dead, the car wouldn't start.

• The concert was last Friday night at the new arena.

• She wore a blue jacket to school today.

Answer explanation

This sentence clearly shows that the dead battery (cause) resulted in the car not starting (effect). The other sentences state facts without showing a causal link.

Match the cause on the left to its most logical effect on the right.

• therefore, she could afford the new bike.

• The phone fell into the water,

• and as a result, they won the championship.

• The team practiced every day,

• consequently, it stopped working.

• He didn't save his game progress,

• so he had to start over.

• She saved her allowance for months,

Answer explanation

Each cause is paired with an outcome that logically follows from it, demonstrating a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

The word "triggered" in the sentence "The article triggered a heated debate online" is used to indicate what?

• The effect of the debate

• The cause of the debate

• The location of the debate

• The opinion of the author

Answer explanation

'Triggered' means to cause an event to happen. In this context, the article is the cause that started the effect (the debate).

Sort the following words and phrases into the correct category based on whether they typically signal a cause or an effect.

Groups:

(a) Signals a Cause

,

(b) Signals an Effect

• due to

• accordingly

• since

• as a result of

• consequently

• therefore

Answer explanation

Words like 'since,' 'due to,' and 'as a result of' are used to introduce a reason or cause for something happening. Words like 'consequently,' 'therefore,' and 'accordingly' are used to introduce the result or effect of a previous action or event.

Which word best completes the sentence: I was tired; _____, I went to bed early.

• because

• since

• consequently

• due to

Answer explanation

'Consequently' is an effect word that connects the cause (being tired) to the result (going to bed early). The other options are cause words and would create an illogical sentence.