Action Ally Reading Workbook

Name: ________________________ Date: _________

1A

Clara's Catch

Focus Skill: Cause and Effect • Sport: Baseball

Level: Beginning 4th

Read the story below. Pay close attention to why things happen!

Clara loved playing baseball more than anything. On Monday, she made a big mistake because she forgot to oil her leather glove. As a result of this mistake, the leather became very dry and stiff. When her father threw a baseball to her, the stiff glove would not close quickly, so the ball popped right out and hit the green grass.

Clara did not want to miss any catches in her big Saturday game. Therefore, she worked hard every afternoon to fix the problem. She rubbed soft oil into the leather and practiced squeezing a heavy tennis ball. Since she did this every day, her hand muscles grew stronger and the glove became soft and flexible.

On Saturday, a high fly ball was hit right toward her. Clara tracked the ball with her eyes instead of reaching early. Because of her training, she leaped up, closed her soft glove smoothly, and caught the ball! The crowd cheered loudly as her teammates ran over to celebrate.

Active Reading Tip:

Look for signal words like because, so, and since to spot causes and effects!

Page 1

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Name: ________________________

Comprehension Check: Clara's Catch

Circle the correct answer for each multiple-choice question.

1. Why did Clara's leather glove become dry and stiff on Monday?

A) She left it outside in the cold rain.

B) She forgot to oil her leather glove.

C) She threw it in the dusty sand box.

D) She played too many games in one week.

2. What was the direct effect of Clara forgetting to oil her glove?

A) The baseball bat cracked on her swing.

B) Her hand began to hurt from throwing.

C) The dry leather became soft and flexible.

D) The glove stayed stiff and the ball popped out.

3. Because Clara rubbed soft oil into the glove and practiced squeezing a ball daily...

A) her hand muscles grew stronger.

B) her father had to buy her a new glove.

C) she decided to play soccer instead.

D) the leather turned a dark blue color.

4. Which word from the story is a clue word that shows a cause-and-effect relationship?

A) Monday

B) Because

C) Leather

D) Fly ball

5. Explain what caused Clara to make the spectacular game-winning catch on Saturday.

Sentence Starter: Clara was able to make the game-winning catch because ___________________

Page 2

Action Ally Reading Workbook

Name: ________________________ Date: _________

2A

Marcus's Muddy Run

Focus Skill: Cause and Effect • Sport: Soccer

Level: Beginning 4th

Read the story below. Pay close attention to why things happen!

Heavy rain poured down all night before the big soccer match. Since the water had nowhere to go on the dirt field, the ground turned into thick, slippery mud. Marcus looked at the messy field and knew it would be hard to run without falling down.

To prepare for the slippery ground, Marcus chose to wear his metal-tipped cleats instead of his regular sneakers. Because the long metal tips poked deep into the mud, they gave him excellent grip. His teammates, who wore normal shoes, kept sliding around on the wet grass.

During the second half, a defender slipped on a wet patch, so the other team gained control of the ball. They kicked it hard toward the goal. Because Marcus had great traction from his metal cleats, he was able to sprint quickly and block the ball! His smart choice saved the game.

Active Reading Tip:

A cause is why something happens. An effect is what happens because of that cause!

Page 3

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Name: ________________________

Comprehension Check: Marcus's Muddy Run

Circle the correct answer for each multiple-choice question.

1. What caused the dirt soccer field to turn into thick, slippery mud?

A) A player spilled their sports drinks on it.

B) The field manager over-watered the grass.

C) Heavy rain poured down all night before the game.

D) The mud was dug up by a local tracking team.

2. What was the effect of Marcus wearing metal-tipped cleats?

A) He was able to run with excellent grip.

B) He kept sliding around on the wet grass field.

C) His shoes got stuck in the mud and ripped.

D) The referee asked him to change into sneakers.

3. Why did the opposing team gain control of the soccer ball during the game?

A) Marcus kicked the ball out of bounds.

B) A defender slipped on a wet patch of mud.

C) The goalkeeper gave the ball to them by accident.

D) The match was stopped for a half-time break.

4. Marcus was able to sprint quickly and block the ball because...

A) he stayed close to his team's goalkeeper.

B) his metal-tipped cleats gave him great traction.

C) the other team kicked the ball very slowly.

D) his coach told him exactly where to run.

5. Explain why choosing to wear metal-tipped cleats was a smart decision for Marcus.

Sentence Starter: Wearing metal-tipped cleats was a smart choice because ___________________

Page 4

Action Ally Reading Workbook

Name: ________________________ Date: _________

3A

Leo's Loose Laces

Focus Skill: Cause and Effect • Sport: Basketball

Level: Beginning 4th

Read the story below. Pay close attention to why things happen!

Leo was in a huge rush to join the basketball game at recess. He pulled his high-top sneakers on quickly, but because he was in such a hurry, he forgot to double-knot his shoelaces. His friend warned him that they looked loose, but Leo did not want to lose any playing time.

A few minutes later, Leo got the ball and started a fast break toward the hoop. Suddenly, another player stepped near his heel, causing his loose lace to untangle. As a result of his untied laces, Leo tripped over his feet and tumbled to the shiny gym floor. The ball bounced away, and the other team easily scored.

Leo felt embarrassed, but he learned his lesson. He immediately paused to double-knot both shoes securely. Because his laces were now tight, he could run and jump safely for the rest of recess, eventually making the winning layup!

Active Reading Tip:

Think about what happened in the story, then ask: Why did that happen? That "why" is the cause!

Page 5

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Name: ________________________

Comprehension Check: Leo's Loose Laces

Circle the correct answer for each multiple-choice question.

1. What caused Leo to forget to double-knot his shoelaces?

A) He was in a huge rush to join the game.

B) He did not know how to tie high-tops.

C) His basketball laces were too short to tie.

D) His teammate told him to leave them loose.

2. What happened as a direct result of Leo tripping over his own laces?

A) He scored an easy basket for his team.

B) He tumbled to the floor and the other team scored.

C) The referee gave him a yellow warning card.

D) His friend double-knotted his shoes for him.

3. What was the effect of Leo pausing to double-knot both shoes securely?

A) He had to sit out for the rest of the recess.

B) His shoes became too tight and hurt his toes.

C) He could run and jump safely for the rest of the game.

D) He decided to stop playing basketball completely.

4. Look at this cause-and-effect chain: Rush to play -> Forgot double-knots -> ______

A) Laces untangled and he tripped.

B) Scored a spectacular block.

C) Bought new black high-tops.

D) The gym floor became slippery.

5. Explain what Leo learned about the effects of rushing to get ready.

Sentence Starter: Leo learned that rushing to join the game can cause ___________________

Page 6

Action Ally Reading Workbook

Name: ________________________ Date: _________

4A

Maya's Perfect Pitch

Focus Skill: Cause and Effect • Sport: Softball

Level: Beginning 4th

Read the story below. Pay close attention to why things happen!

Maya was the starting pitcher for her softball team, the Rockets. She wanted to throw faster and more accurately, so she practiced her finger grip and wrist snap every night in her backyard. Because of her relentless practice, she could throw her fastball exactly where she wanted.

During the championship game, the opposing team's best batter came up to hit. Maya knew the batter loved to swing at fastballs. Therefore, Maya decided to surprise her by throwing a change-up, which is a slow pitch that looks like a fast one.

The trick worked perfectly. Because the pitch was so unexpectedly slow, the batter swung too early and missed the ball completely. As a result of Maya's clever pitching strategy, her team got the final strikeout and won the championship!

Active Reading Tip:

Sometimes one action (like practicing hard) causes another great action (like perfect accuracy) to happen!

Page 7

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Name: ________________________

Comprehension Check: Maya's Perfect Pitch

Circle the correct answer for each multiple-choice question.

1. What caused Maya to be able to throw her fastball with perfect accuracy?

A) She bought a special rubber-coated ball.

B) She practiced her grip and wrist snap every night.

C) She watched videos of professional players.

D) Her coach told her a secret pitching formula.

2. Why did Maya decide to throw a change-up pitch during the game?

A) Her pitching arm was feeling extremely tired.

B) She knew the batter loved fastballs and wanted to surprise her.

C) The catcher signaled that she was standing too close.

D) The umpire asked her to throw a slower pitch.

3. What was the effect of Maya's pitch being unexpectedly slow?

A) The ball bounced on the grass before reaching home plate.

B) The batter was hit on the arm by the slow pitch.

C) The batter swung too early and missed the ball completely.

D) The ball was hit far over the fence for a home run.

4. Maya's team won the championship game as a direct result of...

A) Maya's clever pitch and the final strikeout.

B) the other team getting tired and leaving early.

C) her team hitting three home runs in the first inning.

D) her father buying treats for the team after the game.

5. Explain the cause and the effect of Maya's decision to throw a slow pitch.

Sentence Starter: Maya threw a slow change-up pitch, which caused ___________________

Page 8

Action Ally Reading Workbook

Name: ________________________ Date: _________

5A

Sam's Bicycle Boost

Focus Skill: Cause and Effect • Sport: BMX Cycling

Level: Beginning 4th

Read the story below. Pay close attention to why things happen!

Sam was excited for the BMX bicycle race, but he made a mistake in the morning. He did not check his bike's tire pressure, so his tires were half-empty. When the race started, Sam noticed that pedaling felt extremely heavy and slow. As a result of the flat tires, he quickly fell far behind the other riders.

Sam realized his tires were low on air, so he pulled into the pit lane. He used a hand pump to fill both tires to their full pressure. Because the tires were now firm and round, they had less friction on the dirt track, allowing Sam to roll much faster.

With his tires fully inflated, Sam flew down the track. On the final sharp turn, he leaned his body low, which helped him keep his balance at high speed. He crossed the finish line in first place, proving that proper preparation leads to success!

Active Reading Tip:

When you spot a cause-and-effect relationship, you can predict outcomes in sports and in reading!

Page 9

Cause & Effect Worksheet

Name: ________________________

Comprehension Check: Sam's Bicycle Boost

Circle the correct answer for each multiple-choice question.

1. What was the direct cause of Sam pedaling slowly at the start of the race?

C) He did not check his bike's tire pressure.

A) He was feeling extremely tired from waking up early.

B) He forgot his safety helmet and had to go back.

D) The race track was wet and muddy from a storm.

2. What happened as a result of Sam pumping his tires to full pressure?

A) The tires became firm and round, having less friction.

B) The tires popped because they were over-filled with air.

C) His bicycle became too heavy to pedal up the hill.

D) The coach asked him to replace his wheels.

3. Why did Sam lean his body low into the sharp final turn?

A) He was trying to inspect his tires during the race.

B) It helped him keep his balance at high speed.

C) He was wave-signaling to the crowd near the track.

D) His seat was loose and slid down by accident.

4. What is the main cause-and-effect lesson we can learn from Sam's race?

A) Leaning into turns is the only way to win races.

B) Proper preparation and checking gear leads to success.

C) Bicycle races are always won by the fastest pedaler.

D) Pumping your tires during a race is against the rules.

5. Explain how pumping up his tires changed the outcome of Sam's race.

Sentence Starter: Pumping up his half-empty tires changed the race because ___________________

Page 10

Action Ally Reading Workbook

Action Ally Reading Workbook

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