Context Clues - Cause/effect

The ice cream began to liquefy because it was left in the hot sun. What does liquefy mean?

• to become solid

• to turn into a liquid

• to get colder

• to disappear

Answer explanation

The cause is being 'left in the hot sun,' which would make ice cream melt or turn into a liquid. Therefore, liquefy means to turn into a liquid.

Because he stayed up all night studying for his exam, Marco felt extremely lethargic the next morning and could barely lift his head off the desk. Based on the context, what does the word **lethargic** most likely mean?

• Full of energy and excitement

• Angry and frustrated

• Lacking energy or enthusiasm

• Very hungry

Answer explanation

The cause in the sentence is 'stayed up all night studying.' The effect is feeling 'lethargic' and being unable to lift his head. This cause-and-effect relationship indicates that 'lethargic' means tired or lacking energy.

Which sentence uses a cause-and-effect relationship to help explain the meaning of the word exhausted?

• After running the entire race, Maria was completely exhausted.

• Maria felt exhausted and went to bed early.

• The word exhausted has three syllables.

• Being exhausted is not a fun feeling.

Answer explanation

Running a race (the cause) leads to being very tired (the effect), which helps you understand that exhausted means very tired. The other sentences don't provide a clear cause.

Due to the heavy spring rains, the wildflowers were abundant in the fields, covering every hill with color. Based on the cause-and-effect relationship in the sentence, what is the meaning of the word **abundant**?

• Very rare or hard to find

• Existing in large quantities; plentiful

• Having a dull color

• Beginning to wilt

Answer explanation

The cause is 'heavy spring rains.' The effect is that the wildflowers were 'abundant' and 'covering every hill with color.' This context clue suggests that 'abundant' means there were a lot of them, or they were plentiful.

The old bread was stale, so nobody wanted to eat it for their sandwiches. What does stale most likely mean?

• Fresh and soft

• Hard and not fresh

• Warm and tasty

• Sweet and sugary

Answer explanation

The effect is that 'nobody wanted to eat it.' This suggests the bread was unpleasant. Therefore, stale means it was no longer fresh.

Match each word to the sentence that uses a cause-effect clue to define it.

• Leo was petrified of the big dog, so he froze and couldn't move.

• drenched

• He was drenched after the huge wave crashed over him at the beach.

• shriveled

• The grape shriveled into a raisin because it was left out to dry.

• petrified

Answer explanation

Each sentence provides a cause (drying out, a wave crashing, fear of a dog) that explains the meaning of the bolded word (to shrink, to be soaked, to be terrified).

The game was postponed due to the thunderstorm. What does postponed mean?

• Played indoors

• Started on time

• Delayed until a later time

• Canceled forever

Answer explanation

A thunderstorm (the cause) would make it unsafe to play a game. The logical effect is to move it to a later time, so postponed means delayed.

As the morning sun grew stronger, the thick fog began to diminish, and as a result, we could finally see the other side of the lake. In the sentence, the sun growing stronger causes the fog to **diminish**. What does **diminish** mean?

• Grow thicker or heavier

• Change color

• Become less or smaller

• Move quickly

Answer explanation

The cause is 'the morning sun grew stronger.' The effect is that the fog 'diminishes,' which allows people to see across the lake. This implies the fog is clearing up or becoming less.

Read the sentences below. Each one uses a cause-and-effect clue to help define the bolded word. Sort the bolded vocabulary words into the categories 'Positive Effects' or 'Negative Effects'. 1. Because she practiced daily, her piano skills began to **flourish**. 2. The constant dripping from the leaky faucet began to **irritate** him. 3. He neglected his chores; consequently, his room became **disheveled**. 4. The community's support for the new park was so strong that it helped to **unify** the once-divided neighborhood.

Groups:

(a) Positive Effects

,

(b) Negative Effects

• irritate

• disheveled

• unify

• flourish

Answer explanation

'Flourish' (to grow well) and 'unify' (to bring together) are positive outcomes resulting from practice and community support. 'Irritate' (to annoy) and 'disheveled' (messy) are negative outcomes resulting from a leaky faucet and neglecting chores.

The students were jubilant when they heard school was canceled for a snow day. Based on the context, what does jubilant mean?

• Very sad or disappointed

• Extremely happy and joyful

• Confused and unsure

• Calm and quiet

Answer explanation

The cause is hearing that school is canceled for a snow day. The typical effect of this news on students is happiness. Therefore, jubilant means extremely happy.