Module 3

ESL 0202 : Cause & Effect Essays

EXERCISE 1: The Language of Cause and Effect

Look for the cause/effect structure. Highlight the causes and double underline the effects. (10 Points)

1. Based at years of scientific data, the majority of climate scientists now support the idea that climate change is a result of human activity.

2. One effect of a mother’s heavy alcohol during pregnancy is a baby born with low birthweight.

3. Bullying, which can be defined as the use of violent actions and / or threatening language to cause physical, social, or psychological harm, is a common cause of depression, social isolation, and low school performance in middle school students.

4. The theory of Natural Selection states that organisms change as a response to changes in their environment.

5. Regular visits to green spaces such as parks, forests, and rural areas have a positive effect on people’s moods.

6. Strong academic performance in elementary school is often attributed to the parents’ readiness to help their children with homework.

7. The overall health of a nation is directly linked to the health of the population. Therefore, governments need to take measures to ensure the people are healthy.

8. Because of extensive time living in China, some native speakers of English are highly proficient in Chinese.

9. Early voter registration usually results in better voter turnout.

10. Wet environments and hot weather are two factors that contribute to insect-borne illnesses.

EXERCISE 2: The Language of Cause and Effect

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate structure to show the cause-effect relationship. Pay attention to the grammar and punctuation needed to make the sentence correct. (10 Points)

1. A diet rich in plants ___________________________ lower cholesterol.

2. Economists identified the unregulated housing market as ____________________ the economic downfall.

3. Many people do not have a basic understanding of how the internet works. _________________ they do not know that their personal online privacy is often compromised.

4. _______________________ the cost of education has skyrocketed over the last 20 years, many students are graduating from college with a huge amount of debt.

5. A lot of time spent using electronic devices ____________________________ the cognitive development of small children adversely.

6. Reading aloud to children has a positive __________________________ their ability to learn to read.

7. Many large real estate companies have turned purchased large properties in undesirable areas in the city and built luxury apartments and condominiums, _____________________________ making it nearly impossible for citizens of average income to find affordable housing.

8. Overuse of nitrogen fertilizers has a negative_______________________________ local waterways.

9. Good nutrition and mental health go hand in hand. For example, a deficiency in vitamin B9 (found in leafy greens, legumes, and grains) can ________________________________ irritability, apathy, depression and other issues.

10. Researchers have found that the area of the brain associated with motor skills was greatly _____________________________ in children who had regular practice of a musical instrument.

EXERCISE 3: The Language of Cause and Effect

The following adjectives are useful when describing the cause or effect more specifically. Choose five of the following and write a sentence that identifies a specific kind of cause or effect. Think of situations when these specific words would be appropriate. (10 Points)

Describing the Cause	Describing the Effect
the main cause of a major cause of an underlying cause of the principle cause of a common cause of a direct link between a strong correlation between an unknown cause	a major/ significant / insignificant / profound / dramatic / serious effect on a minimal / insignificant effect on an unexpected / unforeseen / surprising effect on a lasting effect on a calming effect on

Example: A common cause of obesity is a lack of physical activity.

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________