Find the Cause
Find the Effect
Cause or Effect?
Signal Words
100

The playground was wet and slippery so the principal decided to keep all students inside for recess.

What is the cause?


Answer: The playground was wet and slippery.



100

It was raining outside so the soccer game was moved to the gym.

What is the effect?


Answer: The soccer game was moved to the gym.



100

The roads were icy so school was cancelled.

"School was cancelled." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Effect.



100

The game was cancelled because it was raining.

What signal word points to the cause?


Answer: Because.



200

Because the classroom was too hot the teacher opened all the windows to let in fresh air.

What is the cause?


Answer: The classroom was too hot.



200

Mia practiced her math facts every night for two weeks. As a result she passed her timed test with a perfect score.

What is the effect?


Answer: She passed her timed test with a perfect score.



200

Because Jaylen forgot his lunch he had to borrow money from a friend.

"Jaylen forgot his lunch." Is this the cause or the effect?



Answer: Cause.

200

It was freezing outside so the pond turned to ice overnight.

What signal word points to the effect?


Answer: So.



300

The grocery store shelves were empty because a big snowstorm was coming and everyone rushed to buy supplies.

What is the cause?


Answer: A big snowstorm was coming and everyone rushed to buy supplies.



300

The school added extra recycling bins to every hallway. Over time students became more aware of recycling and the amount of trash in the building decreased.

What is the effect?


Answer: Students became more aware of recycling and trash decreased.



300

Since the library got new books checkouts doubled and more students started visiting during lunch.

"Checkouts doubled and more students visited during lunch." Is this the cause or the effect?



Answer: Effect.

300

Since Ava studied every night she felt confident on test day.

What is the cause in this sentence?


Answer: Ava studied every night.



400

Since Darius forgot to put his permission slip in his backpack he was not allowed to go on the field trip with the rest of his class.

What is the cause?


Answer: Darius forgot to put his permission slip in his backpack.



400

Because the new student joined the reading group the discussions became more lively and everyone started sharing more ideas.

What's the effect?


Answer: Discussions became more lively and everyone started sharing more ideas.




400

The team did not practice together all week. As a result they lost the game by a wide margin.

"The team did not practice together all week." Is this the cause or the effect?



Answer: Cause.

400

The student forgot her homework therefore her teacher marked it as missing.

What is the effect in this sentence?


Answer: Her teacher marked it as missing.



500

The neighborhood park was closed for two weeks because a large tree branch had fallen and damaged part of the walking trail during the storm.

What is the cause?


Answer: A large tree branch fell and damaged part of the walking trail during the storm.





500

The bakery donated leftover bread to the shelter every Friday evening. Word spread around the community and more people started stopping in to buy from the bakery to show their support.

What is the effect?


Answer: More people started coming to the bakery to show their support.




500

Because the science fair was coming up students stayed after school every day to work on their projects. The gym was filled with colorful posters and experiments by the end of the week.

"The gym was filled with colorful posters and experiments." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Effect.




500

Due to the heavy rain the outdoor concert was moved inside the auditorium.

What signal phrase points to the cause and what is the effect?


Answer: Signal phrase: due to. Effect: The concert was moved inside the auditorium.