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

The student got soaked walking home. Why? She forgot her umbrella. What is the cause?


Answer: She forgot her umbrella.


100

Jordan won the science fair. What happened as a result?


Answer: He was invited to compete at the state level.


100

"Tiana forgot her umbrella." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Cause.


100

What signal word do you look for to find a cause?


Answer: Any one of: because, since, due to, as a result of.


200

The family had to wait on the highway for over an hour. Why? The car ran out of gas. What is the cause?


Answer: The car ran out of gas.


200

Destiny practiced her speech every night for two weeks. What happened as a result?


Answer: She delivered it perfectly in front of the whole school.


200

"The students had to choose a different lunch option." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Effect.


200

What signal word do you look for to find an effect?


Answer: Any one of: so, therefore, as a result, which caused, which made.


300

The tree fell over during the storm. Why? Its roots were not deep enough. What is the cause?


Answer: The tree's roots were not deep enough to hold it in place.


300

Noah left his bike outside in the rain all week. What happened as a result?


Answer: The chain rusted and the bike stopped working.

300

"Amara read 10 books over the summer." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Cause.


300

What is the cause in this sentence? "Since it was raining the picnic was cancelled."


Answer: It was raining.


400

The river flooded. Why? It had been raining nonstop for five days. What is the cause?


Answer: It had been raining nonstop for five days.


400

The student spilled juice on her homework. What happened as a result?


Answer: She had to rewrite the whole assignment before class.


400

"The roads were closed." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Effect.


400

What is the effect in this sentence? "The student studied hard therefore she passed the test."


Answer: She passed the test.

 

500

The baby bird fell out of the nest. Why? A strong wind shook the branch. What is the cause?


Answer: A strong wind shook the branch the baby bird was sitting on.



500

The school added a new computer lab. What happened as a result?


Answer: More students were able to work on technology projects at the same time.




500

"The family watered the garden and gave it plenty of sunlight every day." Is this the cause or the effect?


Answer: Cause.



500

Write your own cause and effect sentence using the word "since."


Answer: Any sentence that correctly shows a cause and effect using the word since.