Cause vs. Sequence Distinctions Practice Test

Read this passage: In a small town, a new playground opens in the park. Because the town council adds more swings and a safer surface, more families visit the park on weekends. The higher attendance is an effect of the improvements, not just a later event. On opening day, the schedule follows a sequence: the mayor gives a short speech, a ribbon is cut, children line up, and the first group enters. These steps happen in order, but the speech does not cause the ribbon to exist. The sequence simply describes what happens next. Which sentence illustrates a cause-and-effect relationship?​​

Read this passage: In a school science lab, Maya places a leafy plant under a bright lamp and keeps another plant in shade. Because the lamp gives more light, the first plant makes more food during photosynthesis and grows new leaves faster. The shaded plant grows slowly, even though it gets the same water. Next, Maya records her work in order: she labels the pots, measures the soil, waters both plants, turns on the lamp, and writes the start time. These steps happen one after another, but labeling the pots does not make the plant grow. Photosynthesis is a cause-and-effect relationship: more light leads to more sugar production, which supports faster growth. The lab routine is a sequence relationship: the actions follow a timeline without causing each other. Which sentence illustrates a cause-and-effect relationship?​​