CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAYS

Topic: People in all modern societies use drugs, but today's youth are experimenting with both legal and
illegal drugs, and at an increasingly early age. Discuss the causes and some effects of widespread drug
use by young people in modern day society.
It is an undeniable fact that one of the most serious problems facing many cultures is youth's
drug abuse. Not only is illegal drug use on the rise but children as young as 10 years old are
experimenting alcohol and tobacco. It is my belief that there are two main reasons for this adverse
trend.
One of the biggest reasons is that parents and other members in society set bad examples
for the youth to follow. Studies recently published show that children whose parents smoke or drink
are more likely to use drugs than those whose parents don't. Besides, drug use by actors or actresses
on television and in films might possibly confuse children who are taught that drug abuse is wrong.
Another reason leading to drug abuse among the youth is depression. Being unable to live up to their
parents' high expectations on their performance at school or living in a broken family is likely to make
youths feel a sense of hopelessness, and as a result, drugs might be used as a means of expressing
dissatisfaction they face in society.
It is obvious that drug abuse leads to numerous serious effects. One of the most serious
impacts is on takers' health. Whether they are legal or illegal, drugs contain harmful substances, which
infiltrate many kinds of diseases into the system of the user and may eventually lead to death. Another
negative effect is on the social aspect. Drug users might probably search for money by all means such
as. Theft, rubbery or even murder to afford drugs. In the long run, such an increase in social evils could
pose a threat to any country's stability and security.
To conclude, it is a common knowledge that widespread drug abuse among youths is likely to
result in serious problems. To combat these problems, one solution is for the government and families
to educate youths about the dangers of drug use and to take care of the youth's life.

1. Causes
 Topic sentence:
o In my opinion, there are some possible causes of this trend.
o This problem can be attributed to a number of factors.
o A number of reasons have been put forward for this problem.
o I believe ... is partly due to ... and partly because...
 Causes:
o One of the main (underlying/ root/ possible) causes of the problem is depression
o Another reason leading to this situation is that they lack parents' care
o A final possible cause of the problem lies in their lack of awareness
o An equally important reason why SV is
2. Effects
 Topic sentence:
o It is undoubtedly true/ an undeniable fact that this issue can lead to some major
consequences.

 Effects
o One of the most serious effects/ consequences of this is...
o The second negative (adverse/ detrimental/ devastating) impact is…
o X also leads to (bring about/ results in)...

LANGUAGE GUIDE
TỪ NỐI
1. In some areas, water Therefore, these areas will no longer be able to support
levels Because of this, industry.
will fall. For this reason,
Hence,
As a result,
Consequently,

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2. In some areas, water so these areas will no longer be able to support
levels industry.
will fall,

3. Some areas will no longer for water levels have fallen in these areas.
be able to support
industry,

4. Because of
Due to the increased heat, agricultural patterns will change.
As a result of
In view of
Owing to

SO THAT / SUCH THAT

The rise in be so great that agricultural patterns will
temperature happen so fast that change.
will dry out so much land that
destroy so many crops that
cause such terrible damage that
cause such extended droughts that
cause such a severe heat wave that

ĐỘNG TỪ / CỤM TỪ CHỈ NGUYÊN NHÂN – KẾT QUẢ

1. Changes in water levels will cause changes in living patterns
are the cause of
result in
be the reason for/behind
be responsible for
contribute to
lead to

2. Drastic changes in result from changes in water levels

living patterns will be a result of
be a consequence of
be due to
follow from

We may blame ... for..., but the causes go far deeper than ...
It may give rise to a number of problems.
… mainly arises/stems from the fact that …
One may attribute (reason) to (problem)
These factors, coupled with ..., contribute to ...
This will exert/bring about a profound/far-reaching influence/effect/impact on ...
It leaves/entails some serious consequences of...

PHÂN TỪ HIỆN TẠI

1. Water level will change, causing changes in living patterns.
leading to
contributing
2
 resulting in

2. Living patterns will change, resulting from changes in water level.

following from

DANH TỪ
A number of factors may account for ...
Among the most important reasons/factors /explanations cited by people is ...
Part of the explanation lies in ...
And perhaps the most obvious/ direct result of... is ...
TÍNH TỪ
(reason) is attributable to / responsible for (problem)

LANGUAGE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

Determine
 Tuổi tác và kinh nghiệm sẽ là các nhân tố quyết định trong việc lựa chọn các ứng viên.
 Việc nuôi dưỡng đóng vai trong quan trọng trong việc quyết định tính cách một con người.

Provoke: cause a particular reaction or have a particular effect

 Các sản phẩm sữa có thể gây ra các phản ứng dị ứng với một số người.
 Thông báo gần đây của chính phủ đã tạo ra một làn sóng phản đổi.

Generate: produce or create sth

 The proposal has generated a lot of interest.

Derive sth from / be derived from sth: come / develop from sth
 The word ‘politics’ – a Greek word – mean city.
 Britain / economic benefits / membership of the UN.

with the aim of:

 Chính phủ quyết định tăng tỉ lệ thuế thu nhập với mục đích kiềm chế lạm phát.

Prompt sb to V: to make sb decide to do sth; to cause sth to happen

Prompt sth The discovery of the bomb prompted an increase in security.
 Discovery / the bomb / an increase / security.
 His speech / angry outburst / from a man / crowd.
Prompt sb to do sth
 Suy nghĩ về đám cưới của con gái khiến cô ta quyết định giảm cân.

Ensue /ɪnˈsjuː/ to happen after or as a result of another event

 Khi thị trường chứng khoán sụp đổ, việc mua hàng trong hoảng loạn (panic buying) đã kéo
theo

Ensuing = following
 Họ mất liên lạc với nhau trong những năm sau đó.

Inhibit
1 ~ sth ( formal ) to prevent sth from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than
normal
 Thiếu oxi có thể cản trở sự phát triển não bộ của trẻ khi chưa sinh ra.
 Thiếu tài chính đang cản trở việc học sau đại học.
2 ~ sb (from sth/from doing sth) to make sb nervous or embarrassed so that they are unable to do sth

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  Sự có mặt của giám đốc điều hành khiến họ không dám thể hiện ý kiến của họ (air)

Stimulate
1 ~ sth to make sth develop or become more active; to encourage sth
 Exhibition / interest / her work.
 Article / used / stimulate discussion / among students.
 Government package / stimulate / economic growth.
2 to make sb interested and excited about sth
~ sb Parents should give children books that stimulate them.
~ sb to do sth
 Conference / him / study / subject / more depth.

Influence to have/exert a strong influence on sb

2 [ uncountable ] the power that sb/sth has to make sb/sth behave in a particular way
~ (over sb/sth) Her parents no longer have any real influence over her.
~ (with sb) She could probably exert her influence with the manager and get you a job.
He committed the crime under the influence of drugs.
3 [ countable ] a person or thing that affects the way a person behaves and thinks
cultural influences
~ (on sb/sth) Those friends are a bad influence on her.
His first music teacher was a major influence in his life.
verb
~ how, whether, etc… The wording of questions can influence how people answer.
~ sb to do sth She was influenced to take up voluntary work by her teacher.
2 ~ sth | ~ how, where, etc… to have an effect on a particular situation and the way that it develops
A number of social factors influence life expectancy.
The local climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream.

Trigger
2 ~ (for sth) | ~ (to sth/to do sth) something that is the cause of a particular reaction or development,
especially a bad one .
 Nguyên nhân của cuộc biểu tình là việc một nhà máy nữa bị đóng cửa.
 Ánh nắng mặt trời cường độ cao có thể là nguyên nhân gây ra ung thư da.
1 ~ sth (off) to make sth happen suddenly = set off
 Hạt dẻ có thể gây ra phản ứng rất mạnh.

Facilitate
~ sth ( formal) to make an action or a process possible or easier
 Thỏa thuận thương mại mới nên hỗ trợ sự phát triển kinh tế nhanh hơn.
 Việc dạy học có tổ chức chặt chẽ thì hỗ trợ việc học.

Consequently = as a result; therefore

 Điều này đe dọa tới nông nghiệp và chuỗi thức ăn, và hậu quả là tới sức khỏe con người.
 Cô ta thi trượt và hậu quả là không thể học đại học.

Hence: ( formal ) for this reason hence + Noun

 Chúng tôi nghi ngờ là họ đang cố gắng che giấu điều gì đó, vì thế cần một cuộc điều tra độc lập
(enquiry)
… days, weeks, etc. ˈhence ( formal ) a number of days, etc. from now
 Hậu quả thực sự thì chỉ vài năm về sau mới biết.

In view of = considering (formal)

Khi xem xét thời tiết, sự kiện sẽ được diễn ra ngoài trời.

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Inversion with So and Such

 He ran so quickly that the others couldn't catch up with him.

 The wind was so strong that we couldn't open the window.
 The wind was such that we couldn't open the window.

Thereby/ˌðeəˈbaɪ/ S1V1, thereby V-ing.

( formal ) used to introduce the result of the action or situation mentioned
 Regular exercise / strengthen / heart / reduce / risk / heart attack.
 Suy dinh dưỡng dẫn tới ốm yếu và giảm khả năng làm việc khi trưởng thành, vì thế kéo dài mãi
vòng nghèo đói. (perpetuate)

Reason for = motive for/behind = justification for = basis for = the pretext for (excuse for)
1. They used religion as a pretext for their activities.
2. Police went into the area under the pretext of looking for drug dealers.
Attribute
1 ~ sth to sth to say or believe that sth is the result of a particular thing
 Cô ta thường cho rằng thành công của mình là do chăm chỉ và một chút may mắn.
 Sự ốm yếu của họ được cho là do chế độ ăn uống không tốt. (attributable to)

Because of = by virtue of = by dint of = on account of = for the sake of = owing to = out of

I took the job out of necessity because we had no money left.

You might like to come and see what we're doing out of interest (= because I think you might
be interested).

Culprit /ˈkʌlprɪt /
1 a person who has done sth wrong or against the law
The police quickly identified the real culprits.
2 a person or thing responsible for causing a problem
The main culprit in the current crisis seems to be modern farming techniques.

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 EXPRESSING CAUSATION IN ACADEMIC WRITING

1. USING VERBS
A may cause/ affect/ influence/ lead to/ result in B
may bring about/ stir up
may contribute to/allow/enable/empower/trigger/promise/stimulate/generate/induce/
secure
may coax/ cajole B to V
may block/ hinder/ hold/ impede/ refrain/ restrain … from
B may be caused by/ attributed to A
may result/ arise/ stem from
May be pressed to V
2. USING NOUNS
A is a driving/significant/most likely factor/cause of B
is the culprit/ reason for
Exert a powerful/detrimental effect on
inflict widespread damage to
Open up possibility for/ give rise to
Have an influence/ impact on
B May be the victim/consequence/effect/result of A
May be on account of
3. USING ADJECTIVES
A May be associated with/linked to/responsible for B
4. USING CONNECTIVE DEVICES
SV Because SV
Owing to the fact/ due to the fact that/with the result that
As a result of which/,as a consequence of which
SV. Therefore,/So,/Thus,/Thereby,/Hence,/Consequently,
Because of this,/For this reason,/ As a consequence,/ As a result,
As/ Because/Since/For SV, SV
Owing to/ Due to/ Thanks to/ Because of/ In view of A,

The fact that SV May be due to SV

The reason for/ Cause of B Could be that
One A
Effect/result/consequence of
SV, therefore,/so,/thus,/thereby,/hence, Resulting in/leading to STH
/consequently,/as a consequence,/as a result Producing/causing
Giving rise to
Bringing about

If SV1 S will V

1. guarantee sth = ensure sth = make sure that

2. tighten its regulatory standards
3. stiffen its inspection program
4. modify its enforcement policies
5. turn to less hazardous alternative
6. extend = prolong = lengthen
7. be fully engaged in
8. meet the priorities
9. in a tough situation
6
10. approach the issue
11. counter the rise of sth
12. form the backbone of sth

PRACTICE
Fast food or premade food now both have attracting packaging to attract children, which usually
contain lots of calories and fat

In many countries, children are getting fatter and less fit day by day. Why is it so? and suggest solutions.

1. Nguyên nhân chủ yếu là chế độ ăn không lành mạnh.

2. Đồ ăn nhanh và đồ hộp nhiều đường và chất béo là thủ phạm hàng đầu gây ra vấn đề này
3. Lối sống trì trệ cũng góp phần gây ra bệnh béo phì và thừa cân
4. Trẻ con bây giờ thường xem tivi, ngồi máy tính hoặc ngồi nhà quá nhiều mà ít vận động
5. Tất cả những điểu này hủy hoại vóc dáng cân đối của trẻ

Solution
1. Có nhiều cách giải quyết vấn đề này.
2. Đầu tiên là cần giáo dục cho trẻ về dinh dưỡng và chế độ ăn hợp lý. Nhà trường và cha mẹ cần phối
hợp để giúp trẻ hình thành thói quen ăn uống đầy đủ và dinh dưỡng.
3. Cha mẹ cũng cần động viên trẻ chơi nhiều môn thể thao và vận động nhiều hơn
4. Chính phủ cũng phải có những biện pháp quản lý những quảng cáo về thực phẩm không tốt cho sức
khỏe.

1. alleviate = mitigate = improve a. có đủ dịch vụ chăm sóc sức khỏe

2. avert heart diseases b. dùng tiền để hỗ trợ hoa quả có lợi cho sk
3. cardiovascular disease c. dễ bị nhiễm/ mắc (bệnh)
4. compulsive Internet suiting d. các bệnh về tim mạch
5. curb obesity e. cần sự can thiệp của chính phủ để g.quyết được
v.đề trên diện rộng
6. current predicament f. khó khăn hiện thời
7. energetic lifestyle with plenty of g. hỗ trợ các giải pháp khác to V
exercise
8. exacerbate = aggravate = heighten h. sức khỏe tốt
9. fatal consequences i. hậu quả chết người
10. food high in fibre and low in fat j. đồ ăn nhiều chất xơ, ít chất béo
11. food with a high cholesterol content k. sự lạm dụng internet
12. fund alternatives to sth l. giảm béo phì
13. have adequate health service m. lessen=make better
14. heavily tax sth n. chủ động làm gì
15. immediate gratification o. lối sống trì trệ
16. indulgence in online games p. các bệnh về xương khớp
17. major setback = major hurdle q. khó khăn chính
18. musculoskeletal disease r. thỏa mãn hứng thú
19. Net compulsion = Internet overuse s. đắm chìm vào game online
20. physical wellbeing t. intensify = make worse
21. prone to — vulnerable to u. sự thỏa mãn tạm thời
22. require government's intervention to v. damage = hủy hoại
combat the problem on large scale
23. satisfy whims w. đồ ăn nhiều mỡ
24. sedentary lifestyle x. lướt net không ngừng
25. take the initiative to V y. đánh thuế nặng sth
26. undermine = impair =wreck z. lối sống năng động
27. use the revenue generated to subsidise aa. việc nhà nặng nhọc
healthy fruit
28. vigorous housework bb. tránh đc bệnh tim
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WRITING TASKS
TASK 1 Causes and Solutions
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.
What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to
tackle the issue

Causes
- emissions of C02
- deforestation.
Solution
- governments: reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and promote alternatives.
- Individuals: altering their lifestyles (buying efficient light bulbs, turning off electricity, planting
trees)

Task 2: Causes and effects

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten
years.
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

Causes:
- poor diet
+ Increase in the number of fast food restaurants, unhealthy food
+ Use of processed food and ready-made meals
- lack of exercising/ sedentary lifestyle
Effects
- health-related diseases, esp. diabetes
- overweight children suffer from bullying at school  affect their mental health

Task 3: Reasons and Effects

In many parts of the world today there is a profitable market for products which lighten or whiten
people’s skin. 
Outline the reasons for using such products and discuss what effects they have in terms of health and
society.
Reasons
- White skin: associated with higher status than darker skin. (In ancient times, people of higher
status stay indoors, while those of lower status work outside, as farming)
- Desire for the “Western look”.  plastic surgery. Advertisements show people with white skin
as more successful and attractive.
Effects
- Health: harm their skin permanently (some products have prescription-strength ingredients:
steroids or toxins)
- Society: Those with darker skin may suffer from discrimination