Deck 12: Cause and Effect

Question 1

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The average age of first marriage has been rising; in America, it is now 28.4 for men and 26.5 for women
(2) Why are people waiting longer to get married? (3) Americans are postponing marriage for a number of reasons.
(4) One cause of this phenomenon is young people's desire to concentrate on their careers before taking on the additional responsibilities of a spouse and children
(5) Many people also want to enjoy the freedom and independence of the single life as long as possible
(6) Another reason for postponing marriage is the lack of pressure to marry
(7) Society now finds it acceptable for people in their twenties to be involved in intimate, long-term relationships without tying the knot
(8) Therefore, friends and family members are less likely to urge young people to formally commit to one another
(9) Yet another cause for the rising age of first marriage is the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship
(10)People want to wait to marry until they're sure they've found their perfect soul mate. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that signals cause or effect?

A) Sentence 6
B) Sentence 7
C) Sentence 8

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The wide availability of canned, frozen, and precooked foods has definitely improved people's lives by freeing up time that used to be spent preparing meals
(2) However, these convenience foods have also had some negative consequences.
(3) One effect has been a rise in obesity.
(4) Because plentiful convenience foods need little to no preparation time, many people have developed a tendency to eat too much and put on too much weight
(5) These foods also tend to contain unhealthy ingredients like preservatives and high amounts of salt
(6) Therefore, people who rely too heavily on them can find themselves with health problems such as heart disease
(7) Another negative result of convenience foods has been the death of family dinner time
(8) Now that people can grab prepackaged foods on the run, they just don't try as hard to sit down to a meal as a family
(9) Convenience foods have also contributed to Americans' rushed lifestyle overall
(10)Unfortunately, when it became easy to just microwave a burrito and keep going, sitting down and eating a relaxed meal seemed like a waste of precious time. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates cause or effect?

A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 5
C) Sentence 6

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The wide availability of canned, frozen, and precooked foods has definitely improved people's lives by freeing up time that used to be spent preparing meals
(2) However, these convenience foods have also had some negative consequences.
(3) One effect has been a rise in obesity.
(4) Because plentiful convenience foods need little to no preparation time, many people have developed a tendency to eat too much and put on too much weight
(5) These foods also tend to contain unhealthy ingredients like preservatives and high amounts of salt
(6) Therefore, people who rely too heavily on them can find themselves with health problems such as heart disease
(7) Another negative result of convenience foods has been the death of family dinner time
(8) Now that people can grab prepackaged foods on the run, they just don't try as hard to sit down to a meal as a family
(9) Convenience foods have also contributed to Americans' rushed lifestyle overall
(10)Unfortunately, when it became easy to just microwave a burrito and keep going, sitting down and eating a relaxed meal seemed like a waste of precious time. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Natural disasters like hurricanes often cause the price of gasoline to rise.

A) Cause: rise in the price of gasoline Effect: natural disasters like hurricanes
B) Cause: natural disasters like hurricanes Effect: rise in the price of gasoline

Question 5

Instructions: Identify the cause and the effect contained in each of the following statements. President Harry Truman dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945 to end World War II and save American lives.

A) Cause: President Harry Truman dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945 Effect: World War II ended and American lives were saved
B) Cause: World War II ended and American lives were saved Effect: President Harry Truman dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945

Question 6

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The average age of first marriage has been rising; in America, it is now 28.4 for men and 26.5 for women
(2) Why are people waiting longer to get married? (3) Americans are postponing marriage for a number of reasons.
(4) One cause of this phenomenon is young people's desire to concentrate on their careers before taking on the additional responsibilities of a spouse and children
(5) Many people also want to enjoy the freedom and independence of the single life as long as possible
(6) Another reason for postponing marriage is the lack of pressure to marry
(7) Society now finds it acceptable for people in their twenties to be involved in intimate, long-term relationships without tying the knot
(8) Therefore, friends and family members are less likely to urge young people to formally commit to one another
(9) Yet another cause for the rising age of first marriage is the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship
(10)People want to wait to marry until they're sure they've found their perfect soul mate. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Question 7

Instructions: Identify the cause and the effect contained in each of the following statements. Being an only child tends to encourage the development of positive character traits like leadership and maturity.

A) Cause: being an only child Effect: development of positive character traits like leadership and maturity
B) Cause: development of positive character traits like leadership and maturity Effect: being an only child

Question 8

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Tom moved to Philadelphia because his employer transferred him there.

A) Cause: Tom moved to Philadelphia Effect: Tom's employer transferred him to Philadelphia
B) Cause: Tom's employer transferred him to Philadelphia Effect: Tom moved to Philadelphia

Question 9

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine
(2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals.
(3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer.
(4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease
(5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen
(6) Therefore, it reduces the body's oxygen supply
(7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen
(8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. Which of the following sentences contains a transitional expression that signals cause or effect?

A) Sentence 4
B) Sentence 7
C) Sentence 8

Question 10

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The wide availability of canned, frozen, and precooked foods has definitely improved people's lives by freeing up time that used to be spent preparing meals
(2) However, these convenience foods have also had some negative consequences.
(3) One effect has been a rise in obesity.
(4) Because plentiful convenience foods need little to no preparation time, many people have developed a tendency to eat too much and put on too much weight
(5) These foods also tend to contain unhealthy ingredients like preservatives and high amounts of salt
(6) Therefore, people who rely too heavily on them can find themselves with health problems such as heart disease
(7) Another negative result of convenience foods has been the death of family dinner time
(8) Now that people can grab prepackaged foods on the run, they just don't try as hard to sit down to a meal as a family
(9) Convenience foods have also contributed to Americans' rushed lifestyle overall
(10)Unfortunately, when it became easy to just microwave a burrito and keep going, sitting down and eating a relaxed meal seemed like a waste of precious time. How many effects does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 11

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. The high rate of divorce has increased the number of single-parent families in America.

A) Cause: the high rate of divorce Effect: increase in the number of single-parent families in America
B) Cause: increase in the number of single-parent families in America Effect: the high rate of divorce

Question 12

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) The average age of first marriage has been rising; in America, it is now 28.4 for men and 26.5 for women
(2) Why are people waiting longer to get married? (3) Americans are postponing marriage for a number of reasons.
(4) One cause of this phenomenon is young people's desire to concentrate on their careers before taking on the additional responsibilities of a spouse and children
(5) Many people also want to enjoy the freedom and independence of the single life as long as possible
(6) Another reason for postponing marriage is the lack of pressure to marry
(7) Society now finds it acceptable for people in their twenties to be involved in intimate, long-term relationships without tying the knot
(8) Therefore, friends and family members are less likely to urge young people to formally commit to one another
(9) Yet another cause for the rising age of first marriage is the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship
(10)People want to wait to marry until they're sure they've found their perfect soul mate. How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 13

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it's true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining
(2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems.
(3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks.
(4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them
(5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them
(6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show
(7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers' impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets
(8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials
(9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the "C.S.I. effect." Which of the following sentences contains a transitional expression that signals cause or effect?

A) Sentence 2
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 8

Question 14

Instructions: Identify the cause and the effect contained in each of the following statements. The defendant was found guilty of kidnapping. Therefore, he was sentenced to life in prison.

A) Cause: the defendant was found guilty of kidnapping Effect: the defendant was sentenced to life in prison
B) Cause: the defendant was sentenced to life in prison Effect: the defendant was found guilty of kidnapping

Question 15

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine
(2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals.
(3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer.
(4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease
(5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen
(6) Therefore, it reduces the body's oxygen supply
(7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen
(8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 16

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Many people conquer their addiction to alcohol by joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.

A) Cause: many people conquer their addiction to alcohol Effect: joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program
B) Cause: joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program Effect: many people conquer their addiction to alcohol

Question 17

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine
(2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals.
(3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer.
(4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease
(5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen
(6) Therefore, it reduces the body's oxygen supply
(7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen
(8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Question 18

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it's true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining
(2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems.
(3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks.
(4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them
(5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them
(6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show
(7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers' impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets
(8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials
(9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the "C.S.I. effect." Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Question 19

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it's true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining
(2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems.
(3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks.
(4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them
(5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them
(6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show
(7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers' impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets
(8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials
(9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the "C.S.I. effect." How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 20

Instructions: Identify the cause and the effect contained in each of the following statements. The factory is adding a second shift and hiring more employees because orders have increased.

A) Cause: the factory is adding a second shift and hiring more employees Effect: orders have increased
B) Cause: orders have increased Effect: the factory is adding a second shift and hiring more employees

Question 21

Instructions: Read the paragraph below, and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Sadly, this college is part of a national trend
(2) Date rate is on the rise.
(3) To stop date rape, college administrators and students must understand and deal with is possible causes.
(4) First, some fraternities and male peer groups on campus promote an attitude of disrespect toward women
(5) This mentality sets the stage for date rape
(6) Second, alcohol and drugs erode good judgment and self-control
(7) The kegs, barrels, and bags consumed at many parties here put students at risk, including the risk of date rape
(8) A third cause of date rape is miscommunication between men and women
(9) Men and women often have different ideas of what date rape is or even if it exists
(10)We need campus workshops in which we can discuss this issue openly and come to some understanding between the sexes
(11)Date rape is a serious problem that can ruin lives
(12)We can make a difference by addressing the causes of date rape: the male mentality of disrespect, heavy campus use of alcohol and drugs, and the differing views of men and women. ¾ Michael White Moon, Student Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 3
C) Sentence 8

Question 22

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Much of today's hip hop music is fresh and interesting. As a result, it has increased in popularity.

A) Cause: Hip hop music's popularity has increased Effect: Hip hop music is fresh and interesting
B) Cause: Hip hop music is fresh and interesting Effect: Hip hop music's popularity has increased

Question 23

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Soda may be one of America's favorite beverages, but many experts now believe that drinking soda is bad for our health
(2) Because soda is high in calories but offers no nutritional value, it contributes to weight gain and obesity.
(3) The sugar and acid in soda can cause unhealthy tooth decay.
(4) Even sugar-free drinks may cause health problems because, as some studies have indicated, artificial sweeteners may increase the risk for cancer and other diseases
(5) Other research has shown that drinking soda is harmful to bones
(6) The phosphorus in soda causes bones to lose calcium
(7) As a result, they weaken and break more easily. Which of the following is a transitional expression that indicates cause or effect?

A) Even
B) Other
C) As a result

Question 24

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. The lack of an effective warning system led to the high death toll from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

A) Cause: the lack of an effective warning system Effect: the high death toll from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
B) Cause: the high death toll from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami Effect: the lack of an effective warning system

Question 25

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Many people are going under the knife for cosmetic surgery because American culture glorifies youth and makes it difficult for people to handle aging.

A) Cause: American culture glorifies youth and makes it difficult for people to handle aging Effect: Many people are going under the knife for cosmetic surgery
B) Cause: Many people are going under the knife for cosmetic surgery Effect: American culture glorifies youth and makes it difficult for people to handle aging

Question 26

Instructions: Read the paragraph below, and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Sadly, this college is part of a national trend
(2) Date rate is on the rise.
(3) To stop date rape, college administrators and students must understand and deal with is possible causes.
(4) First, some fraternities and male peer groups on campus promote an attitude of disrespect toward women
(5) This mentality sets the stage for date rape
(6) Second, alcohol and drugs erode good judgment and self-control
(7) The kegs, barrels, and bags consumed at many parties here put students at risk, including the risk of date rape
(8) A third cause of date rape is miscommunication between men and women
(9) Men and women often have different ideas of what date rape is or even if it exists
(10)We need campus workshops in which we can discuss this issue openly and come to some understanding between the sexes
(11)Date rape is a serious problem that can ruin lives
(12)We can make a difference by addressing the causes of date rape: the male mentality of disrespect, heavy campus use of alcohol and drugs, and the differing views of men and women. ¾ Michael White Moon, Student Which of the following is a transitional expression that indicates cause or effect?

A) Sadly
B) To stop date rape
C) A third cause

Question 27

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. I am planning to enroll in medical school because I want to earn my living by helping people.

A) Cause: I am planning to enroll in medical school Effect: I want to earn my living by helping people
B) Cause: I want to earn my living by helping people Effect: I am planning to enroll in medical school

Question 28

Instructions: Read the paragraph below, and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Sadly, this college is part of a national trend
(2) Date rate is on the rise.
(3) To stop date rape, college administrators and students must understand and deal with is possible causes.
(4) First, some fraternities and male peer groups on campus promote an attitude of disrespect toward women
(5) This mentality sets the stage for date rape
(6) Second, alcohol and drugs erode good judgment and self-control
(7) The kegs, barrels, and bags consumed at many parties here put students at risk, including the risk of date rape
(8) A third cause of date rape is miscommunication between men and women
(9) Men and women often have different ideas of what date rape is or even if it exists
(10)We need campus workshops in which we can discuss this issue openly and come to some understanding between the sexes
(11)Date rape is a serious problem that can ruin lives
(12)We can make a difference by addressing the causes of date rape: the male mentality of disrespect, heavy campus use of alcohol and drugs, and the differing views of men and women. ¾ Michael White Moon, Student How many causes or effects does the writer present?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 29

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Soda may be one of America's favorite beverages, but many experts now believe that drinking soda is bad for our health
(2) Because soda is high in calories but offers no nutritional value, it contributes to weight gain and obesity.
(3) The sugar and acid in soda can cause unhealthy tooth decay.
(4) Even sugar-free drinks may cause health problems because, as some studies have indicated, artificial sweeteners may increase the risk for cancer and other diseases
(5) Other research has shown that drinking soda is harmful to bones
(6) The phosphorus in soda causes bones to lose calcium
(7) As a result, they weaken and break more easily. How many causes or effects does the writer present?

A) one
B) four
C) seven

Question 30

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow.
(1) Soda may be one of America's favorite beverages, but many experts now believe that drinking soda is bad for our health
(2) Because soda is high in calories but offers no nutritional value, it contributes to weight gain and obesity.
(3) The sugar and acid in soda can cause unhealthy tooth decay.
(4) Even sugar-free drinks may cause health problems because, as some studies have indicated, artificial sweeteners may increase the risk for cancer and other diseases
(5) Other research has shown that drinking soda is harmful to bones
(6) The phosphorus in soda causes bones to lose calcium
(7) As a result, they weaken and break more easily. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3