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“Because / Due To” Connector Type

Introduction

Some cause-effect questions are made easy by the use of clear connective words such as because, due to, therefore, as a result, hence, etc. These words explicitly show the relationship between a cause and its effect. Recognizing these connectors helps you solve such questions quickly and accurately in exams.

Pattern: “Because / Due To” Connector Type

Pattern

The key concept is: words like because, due to, therefore, consequently directly signal a cause-effect link - the part before them is usually the effect, and the part after them gives the cause.

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Flights were delayed because of fog.

Which of the following represents the correct cause-effect relationship?
(A) Fog → Cause; Delay → Effect
(B) Delay → Cause; Fog → Effect
(C) Both are effects of a common cause
(D) Both are independent

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify connector

    The word “because of” indicates a clear causal relationship.

  2. Step 2: Split cause and effect

    The part before “because of” (flights delayed) is the effect, and the part after it (fog) is the cause.

  3. Step 3: Confirm logical direction

    Fog caused delay - the direction is cause → effect.

  4. Final Answer:

    Fog → Cause; Delay → Effect → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Without fog, no delay occurs - cause confirmed ✅

Quick Variations

1. Connectors may appear as “due to,” “as a result of,” “since,” “because,” “therefore”.

2. The order may be reversed - cause may appear before or after the effect.

3. Some sentences may include multiple connectors; always identify which part explains the reason.

Trick to Always Use

  • Underline the connector word (because, due to, therefore).
  • Ask: “What happened?” (effect) and “Why did it happen?” (cause).
  • The clause explaining why is always the cause.

Summary

Summary

  • Connector words make cause-effect detection straightforward.
  • Effect usually appears first, followed by the cause after “because” or “due to.”
  • Always separate the “reason” from the “result.”
  • Focus on logical sequence, not just grammar structure.

Example to remember:
“Flights were delayed because of fog.” → Fog = Cause; Delay = Effect.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Trains were cancelled due to heavy rainfall. Identify the correct cause-effect relationship.
easy
A. Rainfall → Cause; Cancellation → Effect
B. Cancellation → Cause; Rainfall → Effect
C. Both are effects of a common cause
D. Both are independent

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify connector

    The phrase “due to” indicates a direct reason-result relationship.

  2. Step 2: Separate clauses

    ‘Heavy rainfall’ is the reason, ‘trains cancelled’ is the outcome.

  3. Step 3: Confirm direction

    Rainfall (cause) → Cancellations (effect).

  4. Final Answer:

    Rainfall → Cause; Cancellation → Effect → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    No rain → no cancellations ✅
Hint: After 'due to' or 'because of', the cause is mentioned.
Common Mistakes: Treating the first phrase before ‘due to’ as cause instead of effect.
2. Schools remained closed because of severe cold weather. Find the correct cause-effect direction.
easy
A. Cold Weather → Cause; School Closure → Effect
B. School Closure → Cause; Cold Weather → Effect
C. Both are effects of a common cause
D. Both are independent

Solution

  1. Step 1: Spot connector

    ‘Because of’ clearly points to a causal link.

  2. Step 2: Identify reason and result

    Severe cold is the reason; school closure is the consequence.

  3. Step 3: Validate

    Cold weather (cause) → Schools closed (effect).

  4. Final Answer:

    Cold Weather → Cause; School Closure → Effect → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    If temperature rises, schools reopen → confirmed ✅
Hint: Whatever follows ‘because of’ is the cause.
Common Mistakes: Interchanging the order of cause and effect.
3. Power supply was interrupted because of a technical fault. Identify the cause and the effect.
easy
A. Technical Fault → Cause; Power Interruption → Effect
B. Power Interruption → Cause; Technical Fault → Effect
C. Both are effects of a common cause
D. Both are independent

Solution

  1. Step 1: Observe connector

    ‘Because of’ indicates reasoning link.

  2. Step 2: Identify reason

    The technical fault is the cause; the interruption is its outcome.

  3. Step 3: Confirm logic

    Technical Fault → Power Failure.

  4. Final Answer:

    Technical Fault → Cause; Power Interruption → Effect → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Fixing fault restores power → cause verified ✅
Hint: Always find what 'because of' explains - that’s the cause.
Common Mistakes: Assuming the visible event (interruption) is the cause.
4. Many flights were diverted due to poor visibility at the airport. Determine the correct cause-effect link.
medium
A. Flights Diverted → Cause; Poor Visibility → Effect
B. Both are independent
C. Poor Visibility → Cause; Flights Diverted → Effect
D. Both are effects of a common cause

Solution

  1. Step 1: Locate the connector

    The phrase ‘due to’ signals a clear causal link.

  2. Step 2: Identify cause and result

    Poor visibility (reason) → Flight diversion (result).

  3. Step 3: Confirm sequence

    Cause (weather condition) precedes effect (flight action).

  4. Final Answer:

    Poor Visibility → Cause; Flights Diverted → Effect → Option C

  5. Quick Check:

    Good visibility → no diversions ✅
Hint: In transport-related cases, environmental conditions are usually causes.
Common Mistakes: Selecting the effect as the cause because it appears first.
5. The company’s profits declined because of higher raw material prices. Identify the correct cause-effect pair.
medium
A. Higher Prices → Cause; Profit Decline → Effect
B. Profit Decline → Cause; Higher Prices → Effect
C. Both are effects of a common cause
D. Both are independent

Solution

  1. Step 1: Spot the connector

    ‘Because of’ clearly indicates the reason behind an outcome.

  2. Step 2: Analyze logic

    Higher input prices (cause) lead to reduced profits (effect).

  3. Step 3: Confirm sequence

    Cause occurs first; effect follows.

  4. Final Answer:

    Higher Prices → Cause; Profit Decline → Effect → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Lower prices → higher profit → consistent cause-effect ✅
Hint: In business context, cost increases usually cause profit falls.
Common Mistakes: Reversing cause-effect order based on sentence structure.

Mock Test

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