Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3rd Edition

L E S S O N
Assuming
Causes and
Predicting
Effects
L E S S O N S U M M A R Y
Today’s lesson focuses on how to determine cause and effect when
they are only implied, rather than explicitly stated.
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D e t e r m i n i n g I m p l i e d C a u s e s
In order to see how to determine causes that are implied
rather than stated, look at the following brief fictional
passage. Read the passage carefully and actively. After
you make your observations, see if you can use the
writer’s clues to determine why the characters are
fighting.
Anne sat with her feet up on the couch, drinking a
Coke. She heard footsteps by the front door. Brenda
was right on time, as usual. Never a minute early or
late—for her, everything was very exact.
Anne placed her feet on the floor, reached for
the remote, and turned off the television. She knew
Brenda would demand her complete attention. She
knew Brenda would hang up her coat in the closet by
the door (third hanger from the left) and then head
to the kitchen for her daily inspection (exactly seven
steps). She knew this because they had been room-
mates for six months. Taking a deep breath, she
thought about what she would say to Brenda. She
waited and watched from her spot on the couch.
A moment later, Brenda stepped into the
kitchen and surveyed the scene. Anne watched her
expression, watched her eyes focus on the sink, and
watched her face harden when she saw the dishes
piled high. Pointing to the dishes, Brenda said dis-
appointedly, “I don’t believe what I’m seeing. I
thought we agreed to share the responsibilities. I
thought it was your turn to clean the kitchen this
week?”
“I haven’t gotten to them yet,”Anne replied. “I’ve
been really busy. Relax. I’ve got all night.” She walked
into the kitchen and added her empty glass to the top of
the pile.
Brenda fumed. “You know I’m having com-
pany tonight! Somehow I thought you would have
done your share in the kitchen. If we want to remain
roommates, things have to change. ”
The phone rang, and Anne darted to answer it.
Brenda said in the background, “Tell them to
call back, we need to settle this now. I told you I’m
having company soon.”
Anne ignored Brenda’s comment and contin-
ued to engage in conversation with a good friend of
hers. “Did I ever tell you about the time when . . .”
Look carefully at the dialogue between these two
characters. What do they say to each other? How is it said?
What other clues from the author can you find in this pas-
sage to help you understand the cause of their conflict?
List your observations below and then answer the ques-
tions that follow.