Reading a science text: causes, effects and new words
A science text explains why things happen. Look for causes and effects. A cause is the reason, and an effect is the result. Signal words help: because, so, as a result, therefore, this leads to and this indicates. Underline the cause in one colour and the effect in another. Next, read for true or false statements: find the sentence, compare every detail, and be careful with numbers. When there are numbers, calculate yourself and write the working: 4 + 9 + 17 + 2 = 32. Learn new words in context: look at the words around the word and test your meaning in the sentence. Your book has a science article on pages 44 and 45 about the rising sea; its numbers are not used here. Read it after this lesson and look for its causes and effects with the same steps.
| Signal word | Shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because | the cause comes after | The puddle stayed because the drain was blocked. |
| so | the effect comes after | The drain was blocked, so the water spread. |
| as a result | the effect | As a result, the yard was wet. |
| this indicates that | a conclusion | This indicates that drains need care. |
Last October Class 12B built a rain gauge from a clear plastic bottle and a ruler, and measured the rain every morning for four days. On Monday the gauge showed 4 millimetres, on Tuesday 9, on Wednesday 17 and on Thursday 2. The total for the four days was 4 + 9 + 17 + 2 = 32 millimetres. The rain was gradual on Monday, but on Wednesday it came in a strong burst, accompanied by wind. On Wednesday afternoon a large puddle formed by the gate and stayed for two hours. The pupils looked for the cause and found that the drain was blocked by leaves and a plastic bag. The water could not flow away, so it spread over the yard. This indicates that a small blocked drain can cause a big problem. The caretaker cleaned the drain on Thursday. After the next shower the puddle disappeared in thirty minutes, which is 120 − 30 = 90 minutes sooner than before. The class had avoided a potential flood by a simple act. Rain is a natural phenomenon, and we cannot stop it, but we can prepare. The class decided to check the drain every Monday.
Rain gauge. With a grown-up, cut a clear plastic bottle and stick a ruler to the side. Put it outside. Measure the water level each morning for three days and write the total with the working.