MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What does a cause-and-effect chain refer to?

1. An effect can be the cause of another effect

2. Causes always precede effects in time

3. Causes and effects are independent events

4. Multiple causes cannot produce the same effect

The correct answer is: An effect can be the cause of another effect

A cause-and-effect chain illustrates the relationship between events where one event (the cause) leads to another event (the effect). When considering the specific answer regarding how an effect can indeed become the cause of another effect, this reflects the complexity of real-world situations where outcomes can trigger subsequent outcomes. For example, a heavy rainfall (cause) may lead to flooding (effect), and this flooding may cause property damage (which then becomes another effect). This shows that effects can serve as causes in a subsequent chain of events, illustrating the interconnectedness of various occurrences. In contrast, the other provided options focus on distinctions that do not encapsulate the essence of a cause-and-effect chain. While some elements may address timing or independence, they do not fully represent the dynamic interplay inherent in the cause and effect sequences.