Cause and Effect

The boys have an online reading and math curriculum that they use at school and at home. One of Dylan’s recent reading lessons was about cause and effect. The lesson demonstrated a cause and then showed two possible effects to choose from.

For example: It snowed outside. Therefore,

(A) Molly shoveled the driveway.

(B)  Molly went swimming.

Answer: (A) Molly shoveled the driveway.

Here’s another one: Mitch was hungry. Therefore,

(A) Mitch went to sleep.

(B) Mitch had a snack.

Answer: (B) Mitch had a snack.

You get the idea. Since I’m procrastinating folding laundry, cooking dinner, bathing the children, and doing other Sunday evening annoyances, I thought it would be fun to do a cause and effect quiz with all of you.

1. Mom ensures that the dog doesn’t frolic in the mud pit at the local dog park. Therefore,

(A) The dog stays clean.

(B) Riley falls in the mud pit.

Answer: (B) Riley falls in the mud pit.

2. Mom cleans out all of the old and/or expired food in the refrigerator before putting the new groceries away. Therefore,

(A) Mom is organized and prepared to cook a delicious kale and white bean soup for dinner (that she’s been craving all weekend).

(B) Mom accidentally throws out the fresh kale.

Answer: (B) Mom accidentally throws out the fresh kale. (Oops.)

3. Dad packs his suitcase for a business trip to London. Therefore,

(A) Everyone is sad.

(B) There is a power outage, the cable goes out, and the flush handle breaks on one of the toilets.

Answer: (A) and (B) Everyone is sad, and there is a power outage, the cable goes out, and the flush handle breaks on one of the toilets.

How’d you do?