Cause and effect words

In the sentence "Since I forgot my lunch, I had to buy it at school," what is the cause?

• I had to buy it at school.

• I forgot my lunch.

• The school sold lunch.

• I was hungry.

Answer explanation

Forgetting the lunch is the reason (cause) that led to the action of buying it at school (the effect). The word 'since' signals the cause.

Sort these words into two groups: Words that Signal a CAUSE and Words that Signal an EFFECT.

Groups:

(a) Words that Signal a CAUSE

,

(b) Words that Signal an EFFECT

• since

• therefore

• due to

• as a result

• so

• because

Answer explanation

Words like 'because,' 'due to,' and 'since' introduce the reason something happens (the cause). Words like 'so,' 'as a result,' and 'therefore' introduce the outcome (the effect).

What does the word "consequence" mean in a cause-and-effect relationship?

• The reason an event happens

• The result or effect of an action

• A plan to make something happen

• An unrelated, random event

Answer explanation

A 'consequence' is the outcome or result (the effect) that follows from a specific cause or action. The other options describe a cause, a plan, or an unrelated event.

In the sentence "The loud music led to a complaint from the neighbors," what is the effect?

• The loud music

• A complaint from the neighbors

• The neighbors were home

• The music stopped

Answer explanation

The complaint is the result (the effect) that happened because of the loud music (the cause). The phrase 'led to' points toward the effect.

Read the sentence: 'Since the library was closed, Maria decided to study at a coffee shop.' Which part of the sentence states the **effect**?

• Since the library was closed

• Maria decided to study at a coffee shop

• the library was closed

• to study at a coffee shop

Answer explanation

The effect is the result of an action or event. In this sentence, the library being closed (the cause) resulted in Maria deciding to study at a coffee shop (the effect).

Which word in the sentence "The project succeeded because of our teamwork" signals the cause?

• succeeded

• because of

• teamwork

• project

Answer explanation

The phrase 'because of' is a signal that introduces the cause or reason for an outcome. In this case, it explains why the project succeeded.

Match each cause-and-effect vocabulary word to its definition.

• A result or a consequence of an action

• Cause

• Something that makes an event happen

• Reason

• An explanation for an action or event

• Effect

• The final result of a process or event

• Outcome

Answer explanation

Each word is matched to its specific meaning within a cause-and-effect context. 'Cause' and 'Reason' are similar, as are 'Effect' and 'Outcome.'

Choose the best word to link the two ideas: He didn't study for the test; __________, he got a low grade.

• because

• since

• therefore

• due to

Answer explanation

'Therefore' is used to show the result or effect of a previous statement. Getting a low grade is the effect of not studying. 'Because,' 'since,' and 'due to' all introduce causes.

Read the scenario and sort the phrases into the 'Cause' and 'Effect' categories. Scenario: Due to a power outage, the school computers shut down, so classes were dismissed early.

Groups:

(a) Cause

,

(b) Effect

• computers shut down

• classes were dismissed early

• a power outage

Answer explanation

The power outage is the initial cause. It leads to two effects: the computers shutting down and, as a result of that, classes being dismissed early.

Match the beginning of each sentence to the ending that creates a logical cause-and-effect relationship.

• ...I could play video games.

• I finished my homework early, therefore...

• ...waking up late.

• She missed the bus due to...

• ...driving was dangerous.

• The roads were icy, so...

• ...it was opening night.

• The movie was sold out because...

Answer explanation

Each sentence beginning is correctly paired with an ending that shows a logical cause and effect, using signal words like 'so,' 'therefore,' 'because,' and 'due to' correctly.