Context Clues - Cause and Effect

Which sentence best demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship?

• The soccer game was exciting, and the crowd was very loud.

• Since the ingredients were expired, the cake tasted strange.

• My friend likes to read fantasy novels in her free time.

• The new phone has a better camera and a larger screen.

Answer explanation

This sentence shows a clear cause (expired ingredients) that leads to a specific effect (the cake tasting strange), linked by the signal word 'since'. The other sentences are just descriptions.

Sort these signal words and phrases into the correct 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

• consequently

• so

• as a result of

• for this reason

• because

• since

Answer explanation

Words like 'since', 'because', and 'as a result of' explain why something happened (the cause). Words like 'consequently', 'so', and 'for this reason' explain what happened as a result (the effect).

The student was elated because he earned a perfect score on his project. What does elated mean?

• Extremely happy and excited

• Confused and uncertain

• Annoyed and frustrated

• Tired and overworked

Answer explanation

The cause is earning a perfect score, which is a very positive event. Therefore, the effect, feeling 'elated', must be a very positive emotion like being extremely happy.

Due to the sudden downpour, the baseball game was abruptly halted. What does halted mean?

• Started

• Continued

• Stopped

• Celebrated

Answer explanation

The cause is the 'sudden downpour' (heavy rain). A logical effect of heavy rain on a baseball game is that it would be stopped. Therefore, 'halted' means stopped.

The old bridge was deemed precarious; therefore, it was closed to all traffic. What does precarious likely mean?

• Beautiful and scenic

• Long and wide

• Newly built

• Unstable and dangerous

Answer explanation

The effect is that the bridge was 'closed to all traffic'. The cause must be a negative quality. 'Unstable and dangerous' is the only option that would cause a bridge to be closed.

Sort the following sentences into two groups: 'Shows a Cause-Effect Relationship' or 'Does Not Show Cause-Effect'.

Groups:

(a) Shows a Cause-Effect Relationship

,

(b) Does Not Show Cause-Effect

• My brother is learning to play the guitar.

• He was exhausted, so he went to bed early.

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

• The library is located downtown.

Answer explanation

The first and third sentences show clear causes (left in sun, being exhausted) that lead to effects (melting, going to bed). The other two sentences are simple statements of fact with no cause-effect link.

His argument was so compelling that the debate team unanimously voted for his proposal. What does compelling mean?

• Long and complicated

• Quiet and shy

• Persuasive and convincing

• Confusing and unclear

Answer explanation

The effect is that the team 'unanimously voted for his proposal'. This strong positive outcome was caused by the argument being 'compelling', which must mean it was persuasive and convincing.

Match each cause with its most likely effect.

• You become much better at that skill.

• Forgetting to charge your phone overnight

• Students feel anxious and unprepared.

• Practicing a skill every day for a month

• The battery is dead in the morning.

• A surprise pop quiz is announced in class

Answer explanation

Each pair shows a logical cause-and-effect relationship. Forgetting to charge leads to a dead battery, a pop quiz causes anxiety, and daily practice leads to improvement.

The concert was so loud that my ears were ringing for an hour afterward. What was the effect of the loud concert?

• The concert was loud

• My ears were ringing

• An hour had passed

• I went to a concert

Answer explanation

The cause is the loud concert. The question asks for the effect, which is the result of the cause. In this case, the result of the loud noise was that 'my ears were ringing'.

Since the power was out all morning, the ice in the freezer began to thaw. What was the cause of the ice thawing?

• The ice was in the freezer

• It was morning

• The power was out

• The ice began to thaw

Answer explanation

The sentence uses the signal word 'since' to introduce the cause. The power being out is the reason why the ice began to thaw (the effect).