Cause & Effect — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. The sun warms the ocean. Tiny drops of water rise into the sky as vapor. Clouds form and rain falls back to earth. What causes clouds to form?
A) Water vapor rising into the sky
B) Fish swimming in the ocean
C) Leaves falling from trees
D) Cars driving on the road
Water vapor rising and cooling forms clouds; this is the science cause. Fish and cars are unrelated details.
2. A plant needs sunlight, water, and air to grow strong. Without sunlight, the plant turns yellow and weak. What is the effect of no sunlight?
A) The plant turns yellow and weak
B) The plant grows taller and greener
C) The plant grows more flowers
D) The plant drinks more water
Without sunlight, plants cannot make food well, so they turn yellow and weak; this is the effect.
3. Good neighbors share tools, help with shoveling snow, and watch each other pets. As a result, their street feels safe and friendly. What causes the street to feel safe?
A) Neighbors helping each other
B) The color of the houses
C) How tall the trees grow
D) The shape of the driveways
Helpful actions build community trust; this is the cause of the safe, friendly feeling.
4. Bees fly from flower to flower. They carry pollen between plants. Because of the bees, many plants can grow seeds and fruit. What is an effect of bees moving pollen?
A) Plants grow seeds and fruit
B) Bees get tired and stop working
C) Flowers lose their color
D) The sun shines brighter
Pollen movement lets plants make seeds and fruit; this is the effect of bees visiting flowers.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Since the soil was dry, the farmer watered the crops.
Since signals the cause; watering is the effect the farmer chose to help plants.
2. Rivers flow downhill because gravity pulls water down.
Gravity is the cause of downhill flow; because introduces this science reason.
3. If people recycle paper, then fewer trees are cut down.
Then shows the effect of recycling; it helps protect trees, the result.
4. The pond froze, so ducks flew to a warmer lake.
So signals the effect; flying to a warmer place is the result of the frozen pond.
5. As a result of the new bike lane, more kids ride to school safely.
As a result introduces the effect; safer riding is the community outcome of the new lane.