Cause & EffectCause & Effect

What is a CAUSE?

It is why something happens. To find the cause, ask yourself:

“Why did this happen?”

Cause and Effect

What is an EFFECT?

It is what happens. To find the effect, ask yourself:

“What happened?”

Cause and Effect

Words to look for

Since So Because Therefore Due to the fact Led to

The reason for         On account of          Consequently           

   Give rise to               Created by                Contributed to

…to indicate the cause and effect in a sentence.

The CAUSE is why something happens.

The pins fall because the ball hits them.

I am as full as a tick. What caused this to happen?

I ate a lot of food.

Identify the Cause

I made an “A” on my reading test. What caused this to happen?

I studied for my test.

Betsy was lonely. She couldn’t have a pet

because pets were not allowed in her building.

Then one day Betsy saw an advertisement in the

newspaper.

Can you identify the causes in the following story?

“If I had a bird feeder like the one in the ad,”

Betsy said, “then I wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”

Betsy was right. Soon many birds began to come to her

feeder. She loved to sit and watch them.

1. Betsy was lonely. What caused this?

The fact that no pets were allowed in her

building.

2. What caused Betsy to get the bird feeder?

The fact that she saw an advertisementin the newspaper.

3. Why was Betsy lonely no more?

The fact that she bought a bird feeder.

The EFFECT is what happens.

The ball hits the pins, so they fall down.

Last week, I left my radio sitting out in the

rain. What will the effect be?

It will be ruined. It won’t work.

Identify the Effect

We have a test today, and last night I forgot

to study. What will the effect be?

I might fail my test!

Last night I watched a scary movie, and I was

scared. Every time I saw a witch I would

scream.

When the witch would laugh, I would hide

under

blanket. I will never watch a scary movie

again.

Can you identify the effects in the following story?

Every time I would see a witch, what would be the effect?

I would scream.

Every time when the witch would laugh, what would be the effect?

I would hide under the blanket.

What effect did the movie have on my mood?

I won’t see any horror movies anymore.

Look at the pictures below. What is the cause?________________ What will be the effect?_______________

Two things have to happen in a cause

and effect sentence!

The needle

The balloon will pop

I bought Dan a present BECAUSE it was his birthday.

What is the cause? ________________What is the effect? ________________What is the word that join the cause and

effect? _______

Certain words join cause and effect sentences.

It was Dan’s birthday

I bought him a present

Because

The ice cream was melting AS A RESULT OF the hot weather.What is the cause?________________What is the effect?________________What is the joining clue word?___________

What other words help to join cause and effect sentences?

The hot weather

The ice cream melted

As a result of

I told Ellen to come home because it was time for dinner. _________

The school was closed yesterday on account of the snowy weather. ___________

Sara could not go to the party due to the fact that she was sick. ____________

I saved ten dollars as the result of putting one dollar in my bank every week.____________

Which words join the cause and effect parts of a sentence?

because

on account of

due to the fact

as the result of

USE THE WORDS THAT JOIN THEMBecause, since, on account of, due to the fact

1. I had to wear boots to school _________________________________________

2. I like you _________________________3. Alan had to stay after school _________

________________________________4. We are having a party_______________

Write a cause and effect ending for each sentence.

Lightening hit the pine tree, causing it to fall on the road.

Susan didn’t read the recipe carefully, and her cookies did not turn out as she had expected.

Challenge