Cause and Effect Transitions: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation

Understanding Cause and Effect Transitions

In the TEAS Reading section, identifying transition words is a critical skill for understanding the logical structure of a passage. Cause and effect transitions signal that one event (the cause) led to another event (the effect).

In this specific sentence, the cause is "the temperature was not regulated" and the effect is "the researchers had to evacuate the laboratory." The word linking these two ideas logically is consequently.

Analysis of the Correct Answer

• Consequently: This is a classic transition word used to show that the second part of a sentence is a direct result of the first part. It functions similarly to words like "therefore," "so," "as a result," or "thus." When you see "consequently," you are looking at the effect of a prior action.

Analysis of Incorrect Answers

• In addition to: This is an additive transition. It suggests that more information is being provided or another item is being added to a list. It does not imply that one thing caused another.
• Since the beginning: This is a temporal (time-based) phrase. While "since" can sometimes indicate cause (e.g., "Since it's raining, I'll stay inside"), in the context of "since the beginning," it refers to a duration of time or a starting point, not a logical consequence.
• During the experiment: This is a prepositional phrase indicating time or location within a process. It tells us when something happened, but it does not establish a logic-based result between two variables.

TEAS Concept: Signal Words

Identifying logical relationships is a primary goal of the TEAS Reading exam. Writers use signal words to guide the reader through their reasoning.

• Cause signals: because, since, due to, as a result of.
• Effect signals: therefore, consequently, so, thus, accordingly, as a result.

Memory Tip

To verify if a word is a cause-and-effect indicator, try replacing it with "and so." If the sentence still makes sense and maintains its logical flow (e.g., "...the temperature was not regulated, and so the researchers had to evacuate"), you have successfully identified a cause-and-effect relationship.