1. Arctic Shortcut Sparks Worry
Cause and Effect

2. Student Objectives Identify cause-and-effect relationships.
Use signal words to identify causes and effects

3. Cause and Effect Cause is the reason something happened.
It answers the question why did this happen?
Effect is the result.
It answers the question what happened?

4. Cause and Effect Signal Words
Words such as because of, why, caused, since, due to, and as a result, often signal a cause and effect relationship.
As you read, circle these words.

5. Directions for handout
Read paragraphs 1 and 2. Circle cause and effect signal words. (That’s because)
Read paragraph 3. Circle signal words.
(due to, and As a result).
3. Read paragraph 4. Circle signal word. (result).

6. After Reading
Fill in the graphic organizer with 3 causes and 3 effects from the article.
Cause
Effect
Cause
Effect
Cause
Effect

7. Possible Answers
Cause-Frozen water blocked the way.
Effect-Few sailors were able to travel through.
Cause-Due to global warming increasing the temperature in the Arctic.
Effect-Arctic ice cover has started to melt.
Cause-The Arctic ice cover has started to melt.
Effect-The Northwest Passage is open to many types of ships.