Cause & Effect — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each sentence part into Cause or Effect.
Cause
It rained hardThe plant had water and sunSam forgot his coat Effect
The picnic was cancelledThe plant grew tallSam felt cold Causes always come before effects in time. Sorting builds the habit of asking which event happened first and which happened because of it.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The grass was wet because it rained last night.
Because signals the reason. Water from rain is the cause of wet grass.
2. Mia wore a sweater because it was cold.
Cold weather is the reason for wearing warm clothes; this is the cause.
3. The dog barked because someone knocked at the door.
Knocking is the cause; barking is the effect that follows.
4. Leo was tired because he stayed up late last night.
Staying up late causes tiredness the next day; because links them.
5. The ice melted because it was very hot.
Heat is the cause that makes ice turn into water, an effect.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. In the sentence She smiled because she got a gift, the cause is getting a gift.
True False
The gift happened first and led to the smile, so the gift is the cause.
2. In the sentence The floor was wet because juice spilled, the cause is the wet floor.
True False
The spill happened first and made the floor wet, so the spill is the cause, not the floor.
3. A cause is the reason something happens.
True False
A cause is always the reason or why something takes place.
4. The word because always points to the effect.
True False
Because points to the cause, the reason part of the sentence, not the effect.