TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Contrast, Cause and Effect

Activity Type Introduction

Reading and writing In this transition words worksheet, students learn and practice
exercises transition words that show contrast, cause and effect.

Procedure
Focus
Give each student a copy of the two-page worksheet.
Transition words to show
contrast, cause and effect Read through how transition words are used with the class. You
may also need to explain the grammar used with each transition
word on the worksheet, e.g. 'despite' and 'in spite of' are followed
Aim by either a noun, pronoun or gerund.
To learn and practice
transition words that Students begin by categorizing transition words that contrast
show contrast, cause and ideas or show cause and effect.
effect.
Exercise A - Answer key

Contrast: although, even though, however, despite, in spite of

Preparation Cause: because, as a result of, due to, since
Make one copy of the Effect: so, consequently, as a result, therefore
two-page worksheet for
each student. Students then join clauses together with appropriate transition
words, rewriting each sentence as necessary.

Exercise B - Possible answers

Level
Intermediate (B1) 1. so, therefore, consequently, as a result
2. so, therefore, consequently, as a result
3. although, even though, however, despite, in spite of
Time 4. although, even though, however, despite, in spite of
5. because of, as a result of, due to, since
30 minutes 6. so, therefore, consequently, as a result

After that, students read a story and complete the gaps with
transition words from the category indicated in brackets, adding
any necessary punctuation.

Exercise C - Possible answers

1. although/even though 6. as a result/consequently

2. so/therefore 7. despite/in spite of
3. because of/due to/as a result of 8. because of/due to
4. however/although 9. as a result/consequently
5. so/therefore 10. as a result/consequently

Finally, students underline the correct transition words in a set of

sentences.

Exercise D - Answer key

1. Due to 4. therefore 7. Despite

2. Despite 5. as a result 8. because of
3. Since 6. Even though

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 TRANSITION WORDS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Contrast, Cause and Effect

Transition words are used to link two independent clauses together. While connecting ideas,
they also show the relationship between the clauses that are being joined.

Below are some transition words that can be used to contrast ideas or show cause and effect.

A. Put the transition words in the correct category.

although because of however despite

even though due to so therefore as a result

as a result of in spite of consequently since

Contrast Cause Effect

B. Join the clauses together with appropriate transition words, rewriting each
sentence as necessary.

Example: I missed my lecture. There was bad traffic.

I missed my lecture due to bad traffic.

..................................................................................................................................

1. Patrick is 17. He can't vote.

..................................................................................................................................

2. Today is Sara's 10 year anniversary with her company. She got a raise.

..................................................................................................................................

3. The bag was handmade. It wasn't expensive.

..................................................................................................................................

4. It was my first time salsa dancing. I was good at it.

..................................................................................................................................

5. Andrew had to repeat the course. He never did any homework.

..................................................................................................................................

6. Claire ate a lot of junk food. She was sick.

..................................................................................................................................

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 TRANSITION WORDS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Contrast, Cause and Effect

C. Read the story below and complete the gaps with transition words from the category
in brackets, adding punctuation as necessary.

"From City Life to Country Life"

Six months ago, I moved from a big city to a small town in the countryside. (1) .......................
(contrast)

country life is nice, adjusting to this new life has been a bit difficult. There aren't many

restaurants (2) ....................... I don't eat out very much anymore, which I miss a lot. But,
(effect)

(3) ....................... this, I've been saving a lot of money. Luckily, there are a few grocery stores
(cause)

in the center of my town (4) ....................... the hours are very limited during the week
(contrast)

(5) ....................... I can only do my shopping on the weekend. Another major adjustment is
(effect)

the lack of people. I used to live in a place where there were many people and

(6) ....................... there was a lot of activity. Now, everything seems so quiet and there
(effect)

is barely anyone around. (7) ....................... these difficulties, I'm starting to

(contrast)

enjoy this new lifestyle. The cost of living in the city was so high and it was sometimes

difficult to sleep at night with all the chaos. I continue to remind myself that (8) .......................
(cause)

these reasons I made my decision to move. Now I'm sleeping better, saving money and

(9) ....................... I feel significantly more relaxed. Not to mention, the view is much nicer
(effect)

here and (10) ....................... I'm beginning to feel like this was the right decision.
(effect)

D. Underline the correct transition word.

1. Due to / Despite the flu, Alexander won't be coming to work today.

2. Because of / Despite our efforts to prevent pollution, people are continuing to litter.

3. S
 ince / Although you finished all the dessert that I made last night, we don't have anything
to offer our guests.

4. Elisa drank a lot of coffee today however / therefore she couldn't fall asleep.

5. Simon hasn't shown up to work for the past three days and as a result / since he was fired.

6. E
 ven though / As a result I've invited the whole family over for Christmas dinner, only a
few of them are coming.

7. Despite / Since having more job experience, the other candidate was chosen instead.

8. O
 nce a year my friends and I organize a reunion and despite / because of this we've
managed to keep in touch.

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