IXL | Match causes and effects in informational texts

Read the text.

Each piece of popping corn is called a kernel. Inside each kernel is a hard shell called a hull, and inside each hull is a drop of water. When popcorn is heated, the drop of water in the hull turns to steam. Pressure begins to build inside the kernel. Eventually, the kernel explodes due to the increased pressure, and it becomes popcorn.

Match causes with their effects.

Popcorn gets hot.

Pressure builds.

Cause

Effect

The water drop becomes steam.

The kernel pops.

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Learn with an example

question

Read the text.

American alligators are easily found in the southeastern United States, but they were once nearly extinct. In 1967, they were placed on the endangered species list. As a result of this protection, there are more than one million alligators alive today. However, the hunting of alligators is still strictly limited. This is due to the fact that they look a lot like American crocodiles, which are still endangered. Hunters might mix up the two species.

Match causes with their effects.

Alligators became a protected species.

Alligators and crocodiles look alike.

Cause

Effect

Alligator populations grew.

Alligator hunting is still limited today.

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.

American alligators are easily found in the southeastern United States, but they were once nearly extinct. In 1967, they were placed on the endangered species list. As a result of this protection, there are more than one million alligators alive today. However, the hunting of alligators is still strictly limited. This is due to the fact that they look a lot like American crocodiles, which are still endangered. Hunters might mix up the two species.

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

Cause

Effect

Alligators became a protected species.

Alligator populations grew.

Alligators and crocodiles look alike.

Alligator hunting is still limited today.

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X.1Match each effect to its cause

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