Matching

Consider the cause and effect events in the following picture.

What strategies did you use to determine a cause and effect relationship between each pair of events?

Match each cause with its effect to create a relationship.

Introducing cause and effect relationships in text

To put it simply, all things happen for a reason! Every cause has an effect.

A cause is the reason why something happens, and an effect is what happens as a result of the cause.

While we experience cause and effect in our daily lives, it’s also an organizational pattern that we can use as readers to help us understand why things happen the way they do in a text. This applies to both fiction and nonfiction texts.

These are two types of cause-and-effect relationships:

• Explicit cause and effect relationships: the relationship between the cause (why) and effect (what) is clearly expressed.
• Implicit cause and effect relationships: sometimes you will need to “read between the lines” and infer the cause or effect because it is not clearly stated in the text.

Let’s explore how to determine cause and effect relationships.

Signpost words

We can use signal or ‘signpost’ words to determine cause and effect relationships. Signal words express a connection between ideas and help us to answer implicit or unstated questions including, “What happened?” (effect) and “Why did that happen? (cause).

Example 1:

Since it was starting to become cold in the house, Naomi built a fire in their fireplace.

Cause: It was starting to become cold in the house.

Effect: Naomi built a fire in their fireplace.

Signal word: “Since”

Example 2:

The city finally re-opened the public tennis courts, so Vincent and Rémy made a plan to play tennis together over the weekend.

Cause: The city finally re-opened the public tennis courts.

Effect: Vincent and Rémy made a plan to play tennis together over the weekend.

Signal word: “So”

Sort the following words that can be used to indicate cause and effect. Complete Sorting Signal Words in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Press ‘Hint’ to reveal answers to Sorting Signal Words.

Hint

What happened? Why?

Explore the news article, "How beading is helping these students learn about mathematical concepts — and Indigenous culture" and identify examples of cause-and-effect relationships. Be sure to also explain how each example helps to communicate meaning and information in an easy-to-understand way.

Press ‘Reveal’ to reveal a Tip.

Reveal

Record your ideas using the following Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer or another method of your choice.

Card game

Use the cause-and-effect examples you identified in the Action section to create a matching game (like the one in the Minds On!).

Record your examples using a method of your choice or using the following Cause and Effect Card Game template.

If possible, share your game with a partner.

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

Discover More