Identifying Cause and Effect Worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this Cause & Effect worksheet step by step. The goal is to:

- Underline the *cause* in red (the reason something happened).
- Underline the *effect* in blue (the result of the cause).

We’ll go through each sentence and identify the cause and effect, then explain why.

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1. Cara’s dress was wrinkled, so her mother ironed it.

- Cause (red): *Cara’s dress was wrinkled*
→ This is why the mother took action.
- Effect (blue): *her mother ironed it*
→ This is the result of the wrinkled dress.

✔ Explanation: The dress being wrinkled caused the mother to iron it.

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2. Sally took out her art box because she wanted to paint.

- Cause (red): *she wanted to paint*
→ This is the reason for her action.
- Effect (blue): *Sally took out her art box*
→ This is what she did because of her desire.

✔ Explanation: Wanting to paint caused Sally to get her art box.

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3. My sunflower grew quickly because it had water and sun.

- Cause (red): *it had water and sun*
→ These are the conditions that led to growth.
- Effect (blue): *My sunflower grew quickly*
→ The result of having water and sun.

✔ Explanation: Water and sun caused the sunflower to grow fast.

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4. Ben worked hard on his project and got a great grade!

- Cause (red): *Ben worked hard on his project*
→ His effort is the reason for the outcome.
- Effect (blue): *got a great grade!*
→ The result of his hard work.

✔ Explanation: Hard work caused a good grade.

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5. When the hurricane came, we put the chairs into the shed.

- Cause (red): *the hurricane came*
→ This event prompted the action.
- Effect (blue): *we put the chairs into the shed*
→ The protective action taken.

✔ Explanation: The hurricane caused people to move chairs inside.

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6. Dad lit the grill because we all wanted to eat hamburgers.

- Cause (red): *we all wanted to eat hamburgers*
→ Desire for food caused the action.
- Effect (blue): *Dad lit the grill*
→ The action taken to fulfill the desire.

✔ Explanation: Wanting hamburgers caused Dad to light the grill.

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7. The police came to our house because the alarm went off.

- Cause (red): *the alarm went off*
→ Triggered the police response.
- Effect (blue): *The police came to our house*
→ Result of the alarm.

✔ Explanation: The alarm going off caused the police to arrive.

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8. I grew an inch last year and now my pants are too short.

- Cause (red): *I grew an inch last year*
→ Growth changed clothing fit.
- Effect (blue): *now my pants are too short*
→ Result of growing taller.

✔ Explanation: Growing caused the pants to become too short.

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9. Sue dislikes carrots because she ate one and got sick.

- Cause (red): *she ate one and got sick*
→ Past negative experience.
- Effect (blue): *Sue dislikes carrots*
→ Her current feeling based on the experience.

✔ Explanation: Getting sick after eating a carrot caused her dislike.

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10. We missed the golf match because our car broke down.

- Cause (red): *our car broke down*
→ Mechanical failure prevented travel.
- Effect (blue): *We missed the golf match*
→ Result of not being able to go.

✔ Explanation: The car breaking down caused them to miss the match.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

| Sentence | Cause (Red) | Effect (Blue) |
|--------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | Cara’s dress was wrinkled | her mother ironed it |
| 2 | she wanted to paint | Sally took out her art box |
| 3 | it had water and sun | My sunflower grew quickly |
| 4 | Ben worked hard on his project | got a great grade! |
| 5 | the hurricane came | we put the chairs into the shed |
| 6 | we all wanted to eat hamburgers | Dad lit the grill |
| 7 | the alarm went off | The police came to our house |
| 8 | I grew an inch last year | now my pants are too short |
| 9 | she ate one and got sick | Sue dislikes carrots |
| 10 | our car broke down | We missed the golf match |

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📌 Tips for Students:
- Look for clue words like "because," "so," "since," "when," "as a result," or "therefore."
- The cause usually comes before the effect, but not always.
- Think: *"What happened first?"* (cause), *"What happened next?"* (effect).

Let me know if you'd like a printable version with color-coded answers!