Cause and effect words

Which word is most often used to introduce a reason or cause for something happening?

• therefore

• because

• next

• finally

Answer explanation

The word 'because' is a conjunction used to introduce a clause that explains the reason or cause for the main part of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Match each word to its primary function in a cause-and-effect sentence.

• Introduces a reason or cause.

• Due to

• Introduces the cause of something.

• Consequently

• Connects a cause to its effect or result.

• Since

• Introduces a result or effect.

• So

Answer explanation

Words like 'since' and 'due to' typically introduce a cause, while words like 'so' and 'consequently' introduce an effect.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

The soccer game was postponed due to the heavy rain. In this sentence, what was the effect?

• The heavy rain

• The soccer game was postponed

• The players went home

• The field was wet

Answer explanation

The effect is what happened as a result of an action. The game being postponed is the result of the heavy rain, which was the cause.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

In the sentence, 'The loud noise triggered the car alarm,' what is the role of the word 'triggered'?

• It shows that the noise was the cause of the alarm.

• It describes the sound of the alarm.

• It indicates the effect of the alarm.

• It tells where the car was located.

Answer explanation

The verb 'triggered' means to cause an event or situation to happen. Here, it connects the cause (the noise) to the effect (the alarm).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

Which sentence correctly uses a word to show a cause-and-effect relationship?

• It started to rain, so we packed up our picnic and went home.

• The cake burned, so I left it in the oven too long.

• He studied for the test, however he got a good grade.

• The plant grew tall due to it received no sunlight.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly shows a cause (it started to rain) followed by the signal word 'so' and the effect (we packed up). The other sentences use signal words incorrectly: in the second option, 'so' should introduce an effect, not a cause; in the third, 'however' shows contrast, not cause-and-effect; and in the fourth, the cause and effect are illogical.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Sort these phrases based on whether they typically introduce a cause or an effect.

Groups:

(a) Introduces a CAUSE

,

(b) Introduces an EFFECT

• gave rise to

• led to

• was the reason for

• stemmed from

Answer explanation

'Stemmed from' and 'was the reason for' point back to a cause. 'Led to' and 'gave rise to' point forward to an effect or result.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

In each sentence, match the bolded word to the part of the relationship it helps identify.

• Identifies the CAUSE (a lack of planning)

• She was late; therefore, she missed the first part of the movie.

• Identifies the EFFECT (missing the movie)

• The project failed due to a lack of planning.

• Identifies the CAUSE (winning the game)

• He was happy because he won the game.

Answer explanation

'Due to' and 'because' introduce the cause of an event. 'Therefore' introduces the effect or result of a previous event.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

The team lost the game. The loss was a consequence of their many mistakes. What is the role of the word 'consequence'?

• It names the cause.

• It names the effect.

• It describes the team.

• It explains when the game was played.

Answer explanation

A 'consequence' is a result or effect of an action. In this case, the loss is the effect, and the word 'consequence' is used to label it as such.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

Since the school's internet was down, the teacher couldn't show the video, so she had to create a new lesson plan. What was the initial cause of this chain of events?

• The teacher created a new lesson plan.

• The teacher couldn't show the video.

• The school's internet was down.

• The students were disappointed.

Answer explanation

The first event that started the chain reaction was the internet being down. This caused the teacher to be unable to show the video, which in turn caused her to create a new plan.

How does the phrase 'as a result of' function in a sentence?

• It introduces the event that happened first.

• It is always followed by the effect.

• It is always followed by the cause.

• It compares two unrelated events.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'as a result of' points back to the cause. For example, 'The game was cancelled as a result of the storm.' The storm is the cause.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6