Cause and Effect

In life, causes happen ________ their effects.

• up to a year after

• before

• at the same time as

• before or after

In the following sentence, what is the cause?

Since Jeremiah was sick, he didn’t take the math test.

• Jeremiah was sick

• he didn’t take the math test

• Since

In the following sentence, what is the effect?

The boy slipped due to the ice on the stairs.

• The boy slipped

• the ice on the stairs

• due to

In the following sentence, what signal word or phrase points out the cause?

As a result of studying daily, Cynthia earned 100% on her next science test.

A B C D

• daily

• next

• As a result of

• studying

What could be a cause for Bethany giving Maliyah a present?

• Bethany received a thank you card

• Bethany received a present in return

• The toy store was closed

• Maliyah had a birthday party

What could be an effect of going to the mall with a new friend on Friday.

• There was a new student in your class on Monday.

• You get to know that friend better.

• A new shopping mall is built.

• A new family moves to town.

True or False: An effect of one thing can become a cause for something else.

• True

• False

After school on Wednesday, Brendan found out that he made the baseball team. Which of the following could be a cause for Brendan making the baseball team?

• He went to dinner with his friends on Tuesday.

• He went to school on Wednesday.

• He practiced baseball twice a week all summer.

• He never watches the World Series.

Julianna is the lead in the middle school play. One effect of this could be that ________.

• she went to the auditions last week

• she has been taking acting classes since she was 3

• she always forgets her lines

• Julianna’s father will come to see the play

Which of the following is a signal word or phrase that can point out a cause or effect?

• because of

• unless

• and

• in other news