Cause and Effect

Objective: Define cause and effect.

Identify the cause and effect in a
selection.
 What is Cause and Effect?
 Cause- is the reason why something
happens.

 Example: I didn't bring my homework,

because my dog ate it.
 What is Cause and Effect?
Effect-
 Effect-isisthe
theresult
resultof
ofsomething
something
happening.
happening.
 Example: If I take my pencil and push it off the table, what will the effect be?

 Example: I am happy, because today is my

birthday.
 Identify the Cause!
-why something happens
1. I am as full as a tick. What caused this to
happen?

I ate a lot of food.

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

I studied hard for my test.

3. There is milk all over my desk. What caused
this to happen?

I knocked my milk over.

I am holding igneous rock in my hand. What
caused this rock to form?

Lava from a volcano cooled and hardened.

 Can you identify the causes in the
following story?
 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. “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?

 2. What caused Betsy to get the bird feeder?
 3. Why was Betsy not lonely anymore?
 Identify the Effect!
-is the result of something happening
1. Last week, I left my radio sitting out
in the rain. What will the effect be?

It will be ruined. It won’t work.

2. We have a test today, and last night I
forgot to study. What will the effect
be?

I might fail my test!

3. I planted some maize in the field and it hasn’t
rained for days. What will be the effect?

The maize will die.

 Can you identify the effects in the
following story?
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 my blanket. I
will never watch a scary movie again.
1. Every time I would see a witch, what would be the
effect?
2. Every time when the witch would laugh, what would
be the effect?
3. What effect did the movie have on my mood?
 Exercise
• Match the cause to the effect.
Cause Effect
1. _______ The car ran a red light. A. The horses were thirsty.
2. _______ Ben stayed up late. B. She fell down.
3. _______ The students were quiet in class. C. She was hungry at lunch.
4. _______ It rained. D. He was sleepy the next day.
5. _______ Lydia skipped breakfast. E. It boiled over.
6. _______ It was very hot outside. F. Everyone laughed.
7. _______ Lucy’s shoes weren’t tied. G. It sank.
8. _______ The boat had a leak. H. Chris got wet.
9. _______ The puppy chased its tail. I. The teacher gave them a reward

10. _______ There was too much water in the pot. J. Another car hit it.
 Write the cause
1. Cause:_____________________________________________________________
Effect: Jane fell down the stairs.
2. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: The family bought a new car.
3. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: The cat scratched Mitch.
4. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: The lights went out.
5. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: The train arrived late.
6. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: Josh won the spelling bee.
7. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: The chair fell over.
8. Cause: _____________________________________________________________
Effect: Clara laughed out loud.
 Write the effect
1. Cause: Robbie’s bicycle had a flat tire.
Effect: _____________________________________________________________
2. Cause: Dark clouds appeared in the sky.
Effect: ____________________________________________________________
3. Cause: Violet took swimming lessons.
Effect: ____________________________________________________________
4. Cause: The dog barked for hours.
Effect: ____________________________________________________________
5. Cause: Paul overslept.
Effect: ____________________________________________________________
6. Cause: Mrs. Winston put a dish on the shaky table.
Effect: ___________________________________________________________
7. Cause: The gate was open.
Effect: ___________________________________________________________
8. Cause: It snowed last night.
Effect: __________________________________________________________