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During the process of learning English, you will gradually get used to outlining and writing an essay. You can apply many writing strategies for each different type of essay, and one of the types that fully and accurately conveys all information to the reader is the Cause and Effect essay, also known as the essay about cause and effect.

Understanding how to write a Cause - Effect essay is an important skill that most students in all academic fields need to know, especially those who are preparing for the upcoming IELTS exam. This article will help you learn about the basic structure, how to arrange arguments as well as pocket many ideas through sample Cause and Effect essays.

1. Understanding the Cause and Effect Essay

A Cause and Effect essay requires the writer to examine the reasons behind a particular situation (the cause) and its resulting consequences (the effect). This type of essay helps readers understand the underlying connections between events and issues. In IELTS, this format is commonly used to evaluate analytical and logical thinking skills.

Key Elements of a Cause and Effect Essay:

  • Cause: The reason or reasons something happens.

  • Effect: The outcomes or consequences resulting from the causes.

  • Logical connection: A clear and well-developed link between cause and effect is essential.

Common IELTS Topics:

  • The lack of respect and support for elderly people in society

  • The rise in childhood obesity

  • Environmental degradation in urban areas

2. Cause and Effect Essay Structure

A clear and organized structure is crucial for delivering your ideas effectively. Below is a standard outline for a Cause and Effect essay:

Introduction

  • Paraphrase the question

  • Provide a thesis statement summarizing your main points

Body Paragraph 1 – Causes

  • Topic sentence summarizing the causes

  • Cause 1 with supporting arguments and examples

  • Cause 2 with supporting arguments and examples

Body Paragraph 2 – Effects

  • Topic sentence summarizing the effects

  • Effect 1 with explanations and examples

  • Effect 2 with further analysis and examples

Conclusion

  • Restate the key points

  • Emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the issue

3. Writing and Outlining: Sample Task

Task Prompt: Today more people are overweight than ever before. What are the primary causes of this? What are the main effects?

Introduction:

  • Paraphrase: Nowadays, the number of overweight individuals has significantly increased worldwide.

  • Thesis statement: This essay will explore the key causes and effects of this concerning trend.

Body Paragraph 1 – Causes:

  • Cause 1: Overconsumption of processed food high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt

    • Example: Regular fast food consumption from outlets like McDonald’s contributes to obesity.

  • Cause 2: Sedentary lifestyle with limited physical activity

    • Example: Office workers may lack time for exercise due to demanding work schedules.

Body Paragraph 2 – Effects:

  • Effect 1: Increased risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease

    • Example: WHO reports that obesity-related diseases caused over 5 million deaths globally in 2019.

  • Effect 2: Negative impact on mental health and self-esteem

    • Example: Overweight individuals often feel self-conscious and avoid social situations.

Conclusion: Being overweight is a growing issue driven by poor diet and inactive lifestyles. If left unaddressed, it may lead to serious physical and psychological problems. People should be encouraged to eat healthily and maintain regular physical activity to combat this trend.

4. Useful Vocabulary for Cause and Effect Essays

Vocabulary for Causes:

  • A cause of / A reason for

  • Because / Since / As

  • One of the causes is that

  • Result from / Be caused by

  • As a result of / As a consequence of

  • Lead to / Bring about / Give rise to

  • Be attributable to

  • Stem from

Vocabulary for Effects:

  • As a result / Leads to

  • Consequently / Therefore / Hence

  • Risk of / Leading to / Result in

  • Consequences / Implications

  • Have an impact on / Have a consequence of

  • Be responsible for

Linking Phrases:

  • To what extent does A cause B?

  • What are the main causes of…?

  • What are the short-term and long-term effects of…?

  • How can we reduce the negative effects of…?

5. Sample Essay – Air Pollution

Task: In many urban areas, the rise in air pollution is becoming a significant concern. What are the main causes of this increase, and what effects does it have on the environment and public health?

Sample Essay:

Air pollution in urban areas has become a growing concern in recent years. This essay will examine the major causes of this issue and its effects on both the environment and human health.

A primary cause of rising air pollution is the increase in vehicles on the road. The expansion of urban populations has led to more people relying on personal cars, many of which emit harmful gases. Additionally, industrial development is a major contributor. Factories release pollutants such as carbon dioxide and other toxic substances into the atmosphere.

The environmental consequences are severe. Air pollution accelerates climate change and leads to imbalances in ecosystems. Furthermore, the effects on human health are equally alarming. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, as well as heart conditions.

In conclusion, air pollution is largely driven by vehicle emissions and industrial activities. These factors not only harm the environment but also pose a serious threat to public health. Governments and individuals must take urgent action to reduce emissions and promote cleaner alternatives.

High-scoring Vocabulary:

  • Prominent cause

  • Exponential growth

  • Emission standards

  • Significant volume

  • Devastating

  • Accelerates

  • Ecological imbalances

  • Bears the brunt

  • Respiratory illnesses

  • Cardiovascular diseases

  • Prevalent

Master Cause and Effect Essays with Confidence

By understanding the structure and using appropriate vocabulary, you’ll be better prepared to write a coherent and logical Cause and Effect essay. Regular practice and exposure to IELTS-style questions will help improve your confidence and fluency.

When you're ready, explore free IELTS preparation resources from IDP or take a computer-based IELTS test with flexible scheduling options. Check the test calendar and register for your IELTS test with IDP today!

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About this Article

Published on 07 May, 2024

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục