Cause and Effect

In science and technology, we discuss almost everyday the causes of certain problems
and we research into the effects of certain things. In fact science is the study of causes
and effects. Therefore, as learners of science and technology, it is very important to
learn the structure of cause and effect sentences.
When we talk about an effect resulting from a certain cause, we use expressions such
as: because, since, as, owing to, due to...
Connectors of cause and result:

Conjunctions (followed by a complete sentence):

Examples
Owing to his intelligence, he managed to solve the problem.
The police arrested him because he broke into a bank.
The police arrested him since he broke into a bank.
She can't read the letter as she is illiterate.
He can't run fast for he is too fat.
Due to the bad weather, they didn't go for a picnic.
The cause of global warming is pollution.
Due to his laziness, he didn't pass the exam.
Because / since /as / they are smart and intelligent, they forgive each other's
mistakes.
Exercise 1
1. Doctors believe some bacteria are more resistant nowadays ___bcz of_/due
to_ the misuse of antibiotics.
2. ___as__ you have no more money to spend, you will have to stop buying
useless things.
3. He’s embarrassed about being bald ____and so_ he always wears a wig.
4. I knew I couldn’t win. _and so____, I didn’t play the match and I decided to
do more practice to improve my performance for the next competition.
5. __due to__/bcz of_ the traffic jams I arrive late for work every day.
6. She was an annoying woman ____and so_ no one wanted to invite her to a
party.
7. The students were happy _as____ the teacher helped them finish their
projects.
8. You are not following the doctor’s advice __anh hence___ you won’t get
better.
9. Jagan is __so___ confident that he won’t even consider the possibility of not
getting the job.
10. ___sincedue__ the rain had poured for three days without a rest, there were
floods in the area.
Exercise 2
The following information presents causes and effects of shopping online. Study the
information and complete the following sentences.
wide variety of products easy to compare prices
SHOPPING ONLINE
save time products delivered directly to your home
a. __as/due to the fact a wide variety of products offered on the internet, buying
online is quite popular.
___prices of products can be a compared easily so___, buying online can save you
money.
c. ____________as_______ products are delivered directly to your home, online
shopping is quite convenient.
d. ___it saves time and so __, you can have more time for hobbies.
Exercise 3
Read the following passage and identify expressions which connect the
cause and the effect.
Many Moroccan women suffer from illiteracy for many reasons. First, some women
are illiterate because (as – since) they couldn’t join schools when they were young.
Other women suffer from illiteracy since schools are far from their houses. Moreover,
some parents are poor; consequently, (as a result- therefore-hence – then- so – as a
consequence-) they can’t afford to send their daughters to school. As a result, they
are ignorant. Because (since-as) many women in Morocco are ignorant, they can’t
have jobs or take other responsibilities outside their homes. The illiteracy of women
is also due to (the result of/the effect of/the consequence of) some social stereotypes.
For example; some parents think that sending their daughters to school may give
some people a wrong image about their personality. Since universities are far from
many places, some girls just decide to stop their education immediately after their
schooling. For this reason, many of them are unemployed as they haven’t got any
professional diploma. The illiteracy of women results in (leads to – causes – is the
cause of) many social problems. The kids will not do well at school since their
mothers can’t help them with their school work. A high rate of divorce is also a result
of the illiteracy of women. This is because an illiterate woman can’t solve her
problems within her family.
There are more than one way to connect cause and effect sentences. Look at the
sentences:
The fight was cancelled. There was a strike.
The answer can be:
(A) There was a strike. Consequently, the flight was cancelled.
(B) As a result of a strike, the flight was cancelled.
(C) Since there was a strike, the flight was cancelled.
Exercise 4
Try and complete the following.
He lost his ticket. He couldn’t board the plane.
(A)_As he lost his ticket ,he couldn’t board the plane.
(B) He lost the ticket and so he didn’t board the plane
(C) Having lost his ticket, he couldn’t board the plane
There was a thick fog. The traffic had to slow down.
(A)As there was a thick fog, the traffic had to slow down.
(B) The fog was thick and so the traffic had to slow down
(C) Owing to thick fog, traffic had to slow down
Exercise 5
Try this matching exercise
1. Owing to being over-crowded, a) . …the more pollution is
Britain’s main cities all have… created.
2. We are part of an unhealthy,
consumerist and throwaway b) …creates an environmental
society, which … crisis.
3. One effect of living on the street c) …drug abuse and crime rates
is that… rise.
 4. In a city, light, heat, transport
and food must all be supplied
artificially as… d) …roads crawling with cars.
5. The consequence of too dense a e) …we are living a life removed
population is that… from nature.
f) …one or all of these areas
(housing, healthcare, education,
6. Cities face a number of problems jobs and a certain quality of life)
which are due to.. must suffer.
7. A city crowded with people leads
to… g) . …overcrowding.
8. The greater the population, the
more natural resources are burnt h) …a number of people living on
up and, consequently.. the street

Exercise 6
Pick the best cause and effect expression to fill the blank.
1. Many species of wildlife are becoming extinct, ______since____ the
rainforests are being destroyed.
a. therefore
b. since
c. so
d. consequently
2. __________ logging provides jobs and profits, the government is reluctant
to control it.
a. So
b. Consequently
c. Due to
d. Since
3. Hemp can be used to make paper, __________ it could reduce the need for
logging.
a. therefore
b. so
c. due to
d. because
4. Hemp was grown throughout history __________ its versatility; it can be
used to make many different things.
a. due to
b. because
c. since
d. as a result
5. Hemp is related to the marijuana plant; __________, it is illegal in many
countries.
a. so
b. because
c. due to
d. as a result
6. Hemp cannot be used to produce high quality paper, __________ its low
THC content.
a. because
b. as
c. because of
d. consequently
7. __________ Canada has legalized hemp farming, we can expect to see pulp
and paper produced from hemp very soon.
a. Therefore
b. Due to
c. So
d. As