Cause and Effect Worksheets 3rd Grade

Print worksheet gives 6 sentences: circle cause or effect, or the ending that makes sense.

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All 160 sentences

Cause or effect? 80

The actors bowed twice because the crowd kept clapping. (The actors bowed twice)
The alarm clock broke, so Dad overslept. (The alarm clock broke)
The baby dropped her spoon, so the dog licked the floor. (the dog licked the floor)
The batteries died, so the flashlight went dark. (the flashlight went dark)
Because the bell rang early, recess was cut short. (recess was cut short)
Because the bridge was closed, the bus took the long road. (the bridge was closed)
Because the cat knocked over the vase, the floor was wet. (the floor was wet)
Because the chalk was wet, it left no mark. (it left no mark)
Because the glue was old, the poster fell off the wall. (the poster fell off the wall)
Because the heater broke, we wore our coats in class. (we wore our coats in class)
Because the kittens were asleep, we closed the door softly. (the kittens were asleep)
Because the lake was low, the dock stood on dry sand. (the lake was low)
Because the map was upside down, we turned the wrong way. (the map was upside down)
Because the path was dark, we carried a lantern. (we carried a lantern)

Show all 160 sentences (146 more)

Cause or effect?, continued

Because the soup was too hot, I stirred it and waited. (the soup was too hot)
Because the tide came in, our sandcastle washed away. (our sandcastle washed away)
Because the trail was muddy, our boots got heavy. (the trail was muddy)
The bees lost their hive, so they swarmed to the oak. (The bees lost their hive)
The bell did not ring because the rope had snapped. (the rope had snapped)
The bird flew away because the door slammed. (The bird flew away)
The bread did not rise because I forgot the yeast. (I forgot the yeast)
The bucket had a hole, so the water dripped out. (the water dripped out)
The class earned a party because everyone read ten books. (The class earned a party)
The cookies burned because the timer never rang. (the timer never rang)
The crowd cheered because the home team scored. (the home team scored)
The dam broke, so the meadow flooded. (The dam broke)
The dog heard thunder, so it hid under the bed. (it hid under the bed)
The drain was clogged, so the sink filled up. (the sink filled up)
The drawer was jammed, so I pried it with a spoon. (The drawer was jammed)
The fire alarm rang, so the whole school lined up outside. (The fire alarm rang)
The floor creaked because the boards were old. (The floor creaked)
The frost came early, so the pumpkins stayed small. (the pumpkins stayed small)
The gate was left open, so the goats wandered into the road. (the goats wandered into the road)
The goalie slipped, so the ball rolled into the net. (The goalie slipped)
The gym floor was slippery because someone had mopped it. (The gym floor was slippery)
The hens were hungry, so they pecked at my shoes. (they pecked at my shoes)
The ice cream melted because the freezer door was open. (The ice cream melted)
The ink ran because the letter got wet. (the letter got wet)
Jada practiced every day, so her solo went smoothly. (Jada practiced every day)
The kite crashed because the wind died down. (the wind died down)
The kitten purred because I scratched its chin. (The kitten purred)
The leaves turned brown because no rain fell all month. (The leaves turned brown)
The lemonade tasted sour because we forgot the sugar. (The lemonade tasted sour)
The lights flickered because a branch hit the wires. (a branch hit the wires)
The milk spilled, so the cat got a treat. (The milk spilled)
The mirror cracked because the nail came loose. (The mirror cracked)
My hands were sticky because I peeled an orange. (I peeled an orange)
My pencil broke because I pressed too hard. (My pencil broke)
The oven was left on, so the kitchen felt like summer. (The oven was left on)
The paint smeared because I touched it too soon. (I touched it too soon)
The picnic moved indoors because a storm rolled in. (a storm rolled in)
The plant leaned toward the window because it needed light. (it needed light)
The pond froze because the night was bitter cold. (the night was bitter cold)
The printer ran out of ink, so the page came out blank. (the page came out blank)
The puppy chewed the leash, so we bought a chain. (The puppy chewed the leash)
The river rose because the snow melted fast. (the snow melted fast)
The road was closed because a tree had fallen. (The road was closed)
The rooster crowed at four, so everyone woke up grumpy. (The rooster crowed at four)
Since the bus was late, Nora walked to school. (Nora walked to school)
Since the creek was shallow, we waded across. (we waded across)
Since the library was closed, we returned the books on Monday. (the library was closed)
Since the moon was full, the owls were easy to spot. (the moon was full)
Since the mower was broken, the grass grew knee high. (the grass grew knee high)
Since the peaches were ripe, we picked a full basket. (we picked a full basket)
Since the power went out, we read by flashlight. (the power went out)
Since the road was icy, the plow came early. (the road was icy)
Since the shelf was too high, I stood on a stool. (I stood on a stool)
Since the stars were out, we skipped the flashlight. (we skipped the flashlight)
Since the well ran dry, the farmer hauled water from town. (the well ran dry)
Since the zipper was stuck, I wore my other coat. (the zipper was stuck)
The snowman shrank because the sun came out. (the sun came out)
The soup needed salt, so the cook added a pinch. (the cook added a pinch)
The sun was setting, so the campers lit a fire. (the campers lit a fire)
The team ran extra laps because practice started late. (The team ran extra laps)
The tire went flat because it rolled over a nail. (it rolled over a nail)
The tomatoes split because it rained for a week. (it rained for a week)
The trumpet was dented, so it played a sour note. (it played a sour note)
We missed the ferry because the car would not start. (the car would not start)
The wind picked up, so the sailboats raced ahead. (the sailboats raced ahead)
The window fogged up because the kettle was boiling. (The window fogged up)

Finish the sentence 80

A blizzard buried the roads, so ___. school was canceled, the grass turned greener, we went swimming outdoors
A cloudburst soaked the parade, so ___. we opened our umbrellas, we put on sunglasses, we watered the lawn
The alarm did not go off, so ___. I set it twice, I slept until nine, I woke before dawn
The ants came to the picnic because ___. the sky was blue, we dropped crumbs, we swept the cloth
The apples fell because ___. a storm shook the tree, the branches were still, the ladder was tall
The baby bird was hungry, so ___. it refused to eat, its mother brought a worm, the tree was tall
The baby cried because ___. she dropped her bottle, she was fast asleep, the crib was white
The balloon popped because ___. it floated gently, it touched a thorn, it was yellow
The beagle howled at the door because ___. a stranger knocked, it was fast asleep, the bowl was round
The berry pail was full to the brim, so ___. it weighed nothing, we picked twice as many, we stopped picking berries
The bike would not move because ___. the bell was shiny, the chain fell off, the tires were full
The boat tipped because ___. everyone sat still, everyone stood on one side, the oars were wooden
The box kite soared because ___. its tail was red, the air was still, the wind was strong
The bridge was slick with ice, so ___. the grass was green, we ran a race, we walked slowly
The cake sank because ___. the oven door was opened, the oven stayed shut, the plate was round
The candle went out because ___. a breeze blew in, the room was still, the wax was white
The car stopped because ___. the light turned green, the light turned red, the seats were gray
The cat hissed because ___. a dog came too close, it was purring, the couch was new
The cat saw a mouse, so ___. it barked, it crouched low, it fell asleep
The clouds parted at noon, so ___. the moon rose, the puddles dried up, the puddles grew deeper
The cookies smelled done, so ___. Dad mixed the dough, Dad took them out of the oven, the oven was cold
The crops grew tall because ___. no rain fell, the barn was red, the summer was rainy
The dog needed a walk, so ___. I fed the cat, I grabbed the leash, I hid the leash
The door squeaked because ___. the hinge was oiled, the hinge was rusty, the knob was brass
The duck pond froze solid, so ___. the ducks moved to the river, the fish jumped high, we went for a swim
The garden was dry, so ___. I put away the hose, I turned on the sprinkler, the weeds were wet
The geese flew south because ___. summer was starting, the nest was round, winter was coming
The glass broke because ___. it fell on the tile, it sat on the shelf, it was clean
Grandpa wore his glasses because ___. the chair was soft, the print was huge, the print was tiny
Her shoelace was untied, so ___. her hat fit well, she ran faster, she tripped on the step
I left my sandwich at home, so ___. I packed it twice, I was too full to eat, my friend shared hers
I pulled on a straw hat because ___. it was midnight, my shoes were new, the sun was strong
I reached class after the bell because ___. I missed the bus, I woke up early, my shoes were tied
I shivered because ___. I forgot my coat, I wore three sweaters, the sun was hot
I studied hard, so ___. I failed every question, the desk was wooden, the test felt easy
I turned on the lamp because ___. I was asleep, the room was bright, the room was dark
I was thirsty, so ___. I ate dry crackers, I drank a glass of water, I ran another mile
The jar lid was stuck, so ___. I ran it under hot water, it opened by itself, the jam was red
The lights were off, so ___. I could not see the stairs, I read a book, the room was bright
The milk was sour, so ___. Dad drank a second glass, Dad poured it out, the cow was brown
Mom opened the window because ___. the curtains were green, the kitchen was smoky, the wind was too cold
The movie was sold out, so ___. the screen was wide, we sat in the front row, we went bowling instead
My arm itched because ___. a mosquito bit me, nothing touched it, the couch was soft
My fingers were numb, so ___. I held an ice cube, I put on gloves, I took off my coat
My front tooth wobbled, so ___. I wiggled it all day, it never moved, my shoes were new
My wool socks got soaked because ___. I stepped in a puddle, I wore tall boots, the sidewalk was dry
The newborn twins were napping, so ___. the sun came out, we banged the drums, we tiptoed past
Our snow fort melted because ___. the day turned warm, the hill was steep, the night was freezing
Our van broke down a mile from camp, so ___. the driver sped up, we arrived early, we walked the rest of the way
The paint was wet, so ___. the brush was dry, we did not touch the bench, we sat on the bench
The path split in two, so ___. the trees were tall, we checked the map, we had only one way to go
The pencil would not write because ___. it was freshly sharpened, it was yellow, the tip had snapped
The phone rang, so ___. Mom answered it, nobody was calling, the wall was blue
The phone went silent because ___. it was fully charged, it was ringing, the battery ran out
The pitcher was empty, so ___. I filled it at the sink, I poured everyone a glass, the table was round
The plants drooped because ___. nobody watered them, the pot was blue, they stood up tall
The power went out, so ___. the fridge hummed, we lit candles, we watched television
The puddle dried up because ___. it rained all day, the mud was brown, the sun shone all day
The puppy slept all afternoon because ___. it had napped all morning, it had played all morning, its bowl was full
The rangers shut the footbridge because ___. the fish were small, the river had flooded, the river was low
The recess bell clanged, so ___. the hall stayed empty, the students fell asleep, the students lined up
The rink ice was mushy because ___. the skates were sharp, the week had been freezing, the week had been warm
The road was blocked, so ___. the car flew over, the driver sped ahead, the driver turned around
The roads were slick because ___. freezing rain fell overnight, the day was dry, the signs were yellow
The seeds got sun and water, so ___. the pot cracked, they sprouted, they stayed asleep forever
She won the spelling bee because ___. her pencil was sharp, she never practiced, she studied every night
The shirt was too small, so ___. I bought a smaller one, I gave it to my brother, it fit perfectly
The shop was closed, so ___. the door was open, we bought ten apples, we came back the next day
The spaniel rolled in the mud, so ___. it stayed clean, its collar was red, we gave it a bath
The stew tasted bland because ___. it had plenty of spice, the bowl was deep, the cook forgot the salt
The teacher was absent, so ___. a substitute taught the class, she read us a story, the hallway was long
The team celebrated because ___. the bus was late, they lost the final, they won the final
The tent leaked, so ___. our sleeping bags got wet, the stars were out, we stayed dry all night
The town clock froze at three, so ___. everyone was on time, it chimed at noon, nobody knew the time
The toy aisle was packed because ___. everything was on sale, the floor was tile, the shop was shut
We canceled the hike because ___. lightning lit the sky, our boots fit well, the weather was perfect
We scored more goals than the other team, so ___. the match never began, we lost the match, we won the match
We tiptoed down the hall because ___. the baby was napping, the band was playing, the rug was red
We wore mittens because ___. lunch was late, the air was freezing, the sun was hot
The wind blew hard, so ___. my hat flew off, the flag hung limp, the lake was still

How this list was compiled: Written for this page: every item is one sentence. In the first set a sentence joins a cause and its effect with because, since or so, one of the two parts is printed again in brackets, and the tag says which it is. In the second set a sentence stops after because or so, and three endings are given, only one of which makes sense. Each sentence was read with every ending. The skill follows the Common Core reading standards RI.3.3 and RI.3.8, which name cause and effect, read 2 October 2026. No paragraph, story or published worksheet was used, and no person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

Each sheet draws 6 of our sentences. In one set a part of the sentence is repeated in brackets to label cause or effect. In the other the sentence stops after because or so, with three endings to choose from.

Read the full guide

Cause or effect?

The cause is why something happened; the effect is what happened. In The dam broke, so the meadow flooded, the dam breaking is the cause. Because and since come before a cause, so comes before an effect, and either part can stand first.

Finish the sentence

Pick this set under Set. The plants drooped because ___ has three endings: nobody watered them, the pot was blue, they stood up tall. Only one gives a reason. After so, only one ending follows from what happened.

Ask why did it happen for the cause, and what happened for the effect.
Every item is one sentence. A paragraph or a story to read is not part of these sheets.

Questions and answers

What is cause and effect?

A cause is the reason something happens, and an effect is what happens because of it. The alarm clock broke, so Dad overslept: the broken clock is the cause and oversleeping is the effect.

Do these work as cause and effect worksheets for 2nd grade?

They can: every item is one short sentence about everyday things, such as a flat tire or a muddy trail, with no passage to read. The Common Core first names cause and effect in grade 3 (RI.3.3 and RI.3.8).

Which words signal cause and effect?

These sheets use three: because and since point to the cause, and so points to the effect. Other signal words in books include therefore, as a result and due to.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Printed or saved as a PDF, the last page is the key, with cause or effect, or the ending that fits, circled under each sentence. Uncheck Add an answer key as the last page under More options to print the sheet alone.

All 160 sentences

Cause or effect? 80

Cause or effect?, continued

Finish the sentence 80

How it works

Cause or effect?

Finish the sentence

Questions and answers

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