UNIT 6

CAUSE- EFFECT
ESSAYS
 OBJECTIVES
1. Recognize cause-effect essays
2. Use common structures to express causes and effects
Cause – Effect Relationship
Task 1: The harmful effects of social media on teens
Task 2: Reasons for dropping out of university
 INTRODUCE A CAUSE
1.1. Clause connectors
 Because/ Since/ As
Eg/ Since it was so hot, he went swimming
As it was so hot, he went swimming
He went swimming because it was so hot
1.2. Phrase structures
 As a result/ consequence of + N/Ving
Eg/ As a result of her successful exam, she was awarded an oversea vacation
 Due to/ Because of/ Owning to/ Thanks to/In view of + N/Ving
Eg/ Due to passing the exam, she was awarded an oversea vacation
* “due to” is normally used with negative situations and “thanks to” with positive
situations
 INTRODUCE A CAUSE

1.3. Predicate structures

 Result from + N/ Ving
Eg/ Her happiness results from her passing the exam
Her happiness results from her successful exam
 Be a result/ consequence/effect of + N/ Ving
Eg/ Her happiness is a result/ effect of her successful exam
 Be due to + N/Ving
Eg/ Her happiness is due to her passing the exam
 INTRODUCE AN EFFECT

2.1. Sentence connectors

A- cause. As a result/ Therefore/Thus/Hence, B- effect
 
Eg/ He smoked a lot. As a result, his health was badly damaged
A- cause B- effect
 
2.2. Predicate structures
 Cause/ Result in/ Contribute to/ Lead to + N/ V-ing
Eg/ His excessive smoking leaded to his poor health
 Be the reason for/ be responsible for/ be the cause of
Eg/ His excessive smoking is the reason for his poor health
PRACTICE
2. Match the beginnings of sentences on the right to the ends on the left.
1. There are several reasons
2. Scientists are still uncertain about what
causes
3. Building more roads has led
4. A better standard of teaching at primary
school level has resulted
5. The high salaries available in more
advanced economies has caused
6. Pollution will always be a problem because
7. Because
8. The rate of unemployment has fallen in
some countries thanks
a. why this has become an increasingly
serious problem.
b. we use too much fossil fuel.
c. many people to choose to work abroad
for a few years.
d. to an increase in demand in the labour
market.
e. to more congestion not less.
f. of the amount of fossil fuel we use,
pollution will always be a problem.
g. in a major drop in illiteracy.
h. global warming.
3. Write one or two sentences that describe effects that result from each cause.
1. CAUSE: Nitrogen oxide from car exhaust causes problems.
EFFECTS: One effect is that air pollution is produced by car exhaust.
 Car exhaust results in acid rain, as well.
2. CAUSE: Not eating a balanced diet results in bad effects.
EFFECTS:_____

3. CAUSE: Because of today's computers we can do many things.
EFFECTS:_____

WRITING TASK