SAT Foundation: From 400 To 600

Key ConceptsThis chapter covers how SAT reading passages show cause and effect using triggers (signals), outcomes (results), and signal words. You need this to answer logic-based questions faster and more accurately.

You MUST know:

Cause = what makes something happen (reason, action, condition).

Effect = what happens because of the cause (result, change, outcome).

Triggers = words/phrases that hint “something caused something else.”

Outcomes = the part of the sentence/paragraph that changes because of the trigger.

Signal words for cause/effect:

Therefore/Thus/So → cause → effect (result stated)

Because/Since → effect depends on cause (reason stated)

As a result → clear outcome marker

Leads to/Results in/Produces → outcome verbs

SAT logic questions test relationships, not just vocabulary: you must match the right cause to the right effect.

When two effects are listed, choose the effect that the passage actually says (not the effect you expect).

Before you continue: Can you point to one cause and one effect in a single sentence using a signal word?

Key TermsCause - the reason or action that makes something happen

Effect - the result or change that happens because of the cause

Trigger - a word/phrase that signals a cause or effect is coming

Signal word - a cue that shows the relationship (because, therefore, as a result)

Outcome - the effect part you should select or explain

Relationship - the exact link between cause and effect shown by the text

Active RecallWrite the definitions from memory:

Cause: __________

Effect: __________

Trigger: __________

Signal word: __________

Outcome: _____________

Relationship: _________

Worked ExamplesExample 1 (Straightforward)Sentence: “Because the river flooded, the town closed the schools.”

Find the trigger: “Because”

Identify the cause: “the river flooded”

Identify the effect: “the town closed the schools”

Match the logic: flood (cause) → school closure (effect)

Now you trySentence: “Therefore, many people switched to public transit after the new parking rules were introduced.”

Cause: __________

Effect: __________

__________

__________

Example 2 (Cause is hidden)Sentence: “The experiment failed. The main reason was a faulty sensor, which led to wrong readings.”

“The experiment failed” is the effect (what happened)

“main reason was a faulty sensor” is the cause

“which led to wrong readings” gives the outcome of the cause

Relationship chain: faulty sensor → wrong readings → experiment failed (passage order matters)

Now you tryPassage snippet: “Road repairs started late; as a result, the finished highway opened after the expected date.”

Trigger: ____________

Cause: __________

Effect: __________

__________

Example 3 (Choose the correct effect)Question logic: “Which statement is supported by the passage?”

Passage: “Since demand increased quickly, the company raised prices. Therefore, some customers stopped buying the product.”

“Since” = demand increased (cause) → company raised prices (effect)

“Therefore” = raised prices (cause) → customers stopped buying (outcome)

Supported effect must match the passage chain, not a guess like “customers switched brands.”

Now you tryWhich option is supported?

A) Customers stopped buying because demand increased directly.

B) Customers stopped buying because prices were raised.

C) Prices were raised because customers stopped buying.

Your choice: ____

__________

__________

Practice Questions(Easy) In the sentence “Because the map was outdated, travelers took the wrong road,” what is the cause?

__________

__________

__________

(Medium) Choose the best supported effect: “The study was repeated twice; as a result, the researchers confirmed the original findings.”

__________

__________

__________

(Medium) Identify the trigger word in: “Therefore, the city reduced bus routes to save money.”

__________

__________

...