The Strangerby Chris Van Allsburg

Reading Comprehension Skill

Cause and Effect

causes and effects are related

An effecteffect is what happens.

A causecause is why it happens.

CauseTimmy throws the snowball at Johnny.

EffectJohnny gets hit in the face with the snowball

that Timmy threw.

Cause and Effect• Clue words such as because, so, and cause sometimes signal a cause-effect

relationship.

• Sometimes you must figure it out for yourself that one thing causes another.

• Sometimes a cause has more than one effect.

Good readers ask themselves why things happens in a story. Asking why will help

you figure out cause and effect.When you see a hippo in

the water, you can ask yourself why he is in there. He is probably in the water to cool off.

The hippo was hot.

He got in the water.

Cause

Effect

Think about the story……

Why is the stranger lying in the road?

Cause Effect

So the stranger is lying in the

road

Mr. Bailey hits the stranger with his

truck

Think about the story…

Why did the stranger try to run away when he opened his eyes?

Cause Effect

The author said the

stranger looked up with terror. He must have

been afraid

So he tried to run away

Think about the story…

What effect does the stranger have on the thermometer?

Cause Effect

The doctor tries to use

the thermometer

on the stranger

So the mercury

gets stuck at the

bottom

Think about the story…

What happens when the stranger blows on the soup?

CauseEffect

The Stranger blows on

the soup.

Then a draft is created

and Mrs. Bailey says

“brr…”

Think about the story…

What are some of the details thatcause the reader to notice thatthe stranger is special?

CausesEffect

Rabbits allow the stranger close

The stranger doesn’t sweat or get tired with

hard work

The stranger blows hard with all his might on a

green leaf and we see an orange leaf in the picture

So we know the stranger

is special

Think about the story…

Since the stranger’s visit, the trees aroundBailey’s farm stay green for a week longerthan the other trees. Then, they changecolor in one night. Why?

Cause Effect

The stranger uses his special

cold weather power

So the trees

around Bailey

farm turn differently