IXL | Match causes and effects in informational texts

Read the text.

A butterfly goes through different stages in its life cycle. When the larva, or caterpillar, is ready, it eats its way out of its egg. The caterpillar continues to eat and grow. As it grows, it becomes too big for its skin. This leads to the skin shedding, or falling off. Next, the caterpillar grows into a pupa, or chrysalis. This shell-like container has the effect of keeping the caterpillar safe while it slowly changes into a butterfly.

Match causes with their effects.

The caterpillar is protected.

The caterpillar sheds its skin.

Cause

Effect

The caterpillar eats and grows.

The chrysalis forms.

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Learn with an example

question

Read the text.

Not everyone likes to cook or even has the time to do so. Engineers in Britain have developed a robot that can make a meal. The robot is able to imitate the movements of human hands as a result of several different motors and sensors. Because it can also be programmed with daily directions, it can have breakfast or dinner ready just when you want it.

Match causes with their effects.

The robot can move like a person.

The robot can make meals whenever you want them.

Cause

Effect

The robot has special motors and sensors.

The robot can be programmed with directions.

key idea

Understanding cause and effect can help you figure out how events or ideas in a text are connected to one another. Writers often use signal words to show that a cause or effect is about to be given.

A cause is the reason why something happens. Causes usually come after words like because, since, when, as a result of, the effect of, and due to.

An effect is what happens because of the cause. Effects usually come after words like so, therefore, thus, consequently, for this reason, the cause of, lead to, and result in.

Alligators almost became extinct because people over-hunted them.

Cause: People over-hunted alligators.

Effect: Alligators almost became extinct.

There hasn't been much rain, so the harvest will be small this year.

Cause: There has been little rainfall.

Effect: The harvest will be small.

solution

Look at the cause-and-effect words in the passage.

Not everyone likes to cook or even has the time to do so. Engineers in Britain have developed a robot that can make a meal. The robot is able to imitate the movements of human hands as a result of several different motors and sensors. Because it can also be programmed with daily directions, it can have breakfast or dinner ready just when you want it.

These words help show how different causes and effects are connected in the text.

Cause

Effect

The robot has special motors and sensors.

The robot can move like a person.

The robot can be programmed with directions.

The robot can make meals whenever you want them.

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