Context Clues - Cause/effect

After playing soccer in the sun for an hour without any water, my throat felt completely parched. What does parched mean?

• very dry and thirsty

• sore from yelling

• cold and shivery

• full of energy

Answer explanation

The cause is playing in the sun without water. The logical effect of this cause is feeling very dry and thirsty.

Sort these words and phrases into two categories: Signal Words for Cause/Effect or Not Signal Words.

Groups:

(a) Signal Words for Cause/Effect

,

(b) Not Signal Words

• because

• instead

• therefore

• during

• so

• as a result

Answer explanation

Words like 'because', 'so', 'as a result', and 'therefore' show a cause-and-effect relationship. 'During' shows time and 'instead' shows a replacement.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Maria was devastated because her best friend was moving to another state. Based on the cause, what does devastated most likely mean?

• extremely upset and sad

• slightly annoyed

• calm and peaceful

• excited and happy

Answer explanation

The cause is a best friend moving away. This would logically have the effect of making someone feel extremely upset and sad.

Match each signal word to the role it plays in a cause-and-effect sentence.

• Introduces the cause or reason for something

• Due to

• Introduces the effect or result of something

• So

• Links an effect to its cause, often used like 'because of'

• Because

Answer explanation

'Because' and 'due to' are used to introduce the cause, while 'so' is used to introduce the result or effect.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Which sentence uses a cause-and-effect relationship to explain why something happened?

• The game was postponed due to the thunderstorm.

• The game was exciting and went into overtime.

• I watched the game with my friends at the park.

• The players wore their blue and gold uniforms.

Answer explanation

This sentence shows a clear cause (the thunderstorm) and its effect (the game was postponed), linked by the signal phrase 'due to'. The other sentences are just descriptions.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

He didn't study for the test; consequently, he received a poor grade. In the sentence, what is the meaning of the word consequently?

• as a result

• in addition

• however

• before that

Answer explanation

The word 'consequently' means 'as a result' or 'therefore.' It is a transition word that shows a cause-and-effect relationship. Not studying (the cause) led to the poor grade (the effect).

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

After hiking up the steep mountain for three hours, the whole family felt exhausted. What does exhausted mean?

• very energetic

• extremely tired

• a little hungry

• confused about the trail

Answer explanation

The cause is a long, steep hike. This activity would naturally have the effect of making people extremely tired.

Sort the sentences into two categories: 'Cause Explains the Feeling' or 'A State Causes an Action'.

Groups:

(a) Cause Explains the Feeling

,

(b) A State Causes an Action

• He was famished, so he ate three slices of pizza.

• They were petrified due to the scary movie.

• She was overjoyed because she won first place.

• The baby was crying; therefore, her mom picked her up.

Answer explanation

In some sentences, an event (the cause) explains an emotion. In others, a state of being (like being hungry or crying) is the cause for a resulting action.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

In the sentence 'The streets flooded as a result of the constant, heavy rain,' what is the cause?

• The streets flooded

• The constant, heavy rain

• The streets were empty

• The result of the flood

Answer explanation

The heavy rain is the reason *why* the streets flooded. The flooding is the effect, and the rain is the cause.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

Match each bolded word to the meaning suggested by the cause-and-effect sentence.

• Turned from solid to liquid

• The ice cream melted because it was left in the sun.

• Became limp and droopy

• The glass shattered since it was dropped on the tile floor.

• Broke into many small pieces

• The plant wilted due to a lack of water.

Answer explanation

Each sentence provides a cause that helps define the bolded word. Sun makes things melt, dropping glass makes it shatter, and lack of water makes plants wilt.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D