Answer:
Look for unstated cause-and-effect relationships
In some paragraphs, the cause-and-effect relationship is not directly stated. In these cases, you will have to “read between the lines” to find the cause-and-effect relationship. Use clues from the paragraph to identify a cause-and-effect relationship.
To find the effect, ask yourself: “What happened?”
To find the cause, ask yourself: “Why did it happen?”
Let’s look at some examples:
The Great Barrier Reef is threatened by global warming; the rising water temperature causes reef bleaching, making the reef less colorful and more prone to disease.
Reef bleaching is the effect; global warming and rising temperatures are the cause.
I tried my hand at all of the ball sports you can imagine, including lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and softball, which is why I found myself on the track during 9th-grade tryouts.
In this example, the cause is implied (being bad at team sports), and the effect, or result, is trying out for track and field.
Step 2: Look for the signal words that show cause-and-effect relationships.
Step 3: Look for effects that are also causes. Effects can form a chain in which one effect goes on to cause a second effect, which may then cause a third effect and so on. Study this example:
When people cut down trees to clear land, they destroy the habitats of birds. This reduces the number of nest sites. As a result, fewer baby birds are hatched, and the bird population declines.
Cause 1: People cut down trees.
Effect 1: The habitats of birds are destroyed.
Effect 2: The number of nest sites is reduced.
Effect 3: Fewer baby birds are hatched.
Effect 4: The bird population declines.