Grade 3 - Reading

Grade 3 Cause and Effect Worksheet

6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 11 minutes each

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Cause and Effect

Grade 3 - Reading - Building Confidence

Worksheet 1

  1. Read "The Seed Library": Ms. Imani opened a seed library in a cabinet beside the science table. Each envelope listed the plant name, planting month, and number of seeds. Families borrowed seeds, planted them at home, and reported which plants grew well. What caused this effect: "Students compared which plants grew well in different gardens."?

  2. Read "The Seed Library": Ms. Imani opened a seed library in a cabinet beside the science table. Each envelope listed the plant name, planting month, and number of seeds. Families borrowed seeds, planted them at home, and reported which plants grew well. What was the effect of this cause: "Families could borrow seeds from the library."?

  3. Which cause-and-effect pair matches "The Classroom Debate"?

  4. Which event is not the cause of "The guide asked the group to keep voices low." in "The Night Hike"?

  5. Complete this cause-and-effect sentence from "The Bridge Revision": Because the first bridge sagged under six washers, ___

  6. Read "The Bridge Revision": Talia's first cardboard bridge sagged when the test cup held six washers. She studied where the middle bent and added two folded braces underneath. During the second trial, the bridge stayed level with twelve washers. What caused this effect: "Talia added two folded braces underneath."?

  7. Read "The Classroom Debate": Nora wanted the class to spend reward time outdoors, but Diego suggested a board-game hour. Each student gave one reason and listened without interrupting. After the vote, the teacher posted both ideas for the next reward day. What was the effect of this cause: "Students had two different reward-time suggestions."?

  8. Which cause-and-effect pair matches "The Bridge Revision"?

  9. Which event is not the cause of "The class held a debate and voted." in "The Classroom Debate"?

  10. Complete this cause-and-effect sentence from "The Seed Library": Because families could borrow seeds from the library, ___

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About this worksheet

Cause and effect help readers explain how events connect. A cause tells why something happened, and an effect tells what happened because of it. Third graders may reverse the two, especially when both ideas appear in the same sentence. They may also choose an event that is in the passage but is not connected to the target event. This worksheet uses short passages with clear relationships, then asks students to identify causes, effects, and matching pairs. Encourage your child to use the words because and so as a test. If the sentence makes sense with because, the cause is probably in the right place. Students should explain the connection, not only repeat a sentence from the passage. That explanation proves they understand the relationship.

What your child will learn

  • Identify causes in a passage
  • Identify effects in a passage
  • Match connected events
  • Avoid reversing cause and effect

Worked example

The soil was dry, so Mia watered the plants. Dry soil is the cause; watering is the effect.

Common mistake

Choosing an event from the passage that is not the reason for the target event.

Helpful hint

A cause answers why. An effect answers what happened.

Context CluesCompare and Contrast

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with cause and effect?
Choosing an event from the passage that is not the reason for the target event.
How can I help my child with cause and effect?
A cause answers why. An effect answers what happened.
Are these 3rd grade reading worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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