It took all of Alfonso's strength to steady the bike. He started off slowly, gritting his teeth, because she was heavier than he thought. But once he got going, it got easier. He pedaled smoothly, sometimes with only one hand on the handlebars, as they sped up one street and down another. Whenever he ran over a pothole, which was often, she screamed with delight, and once, when it looked like they were going to crash, she placed her hand over his, and it felt like love.

Question

—“Broken Chain,”
Gary Soto

Identify the causes and effects in this passage. Check all that apply.

Because Alfonso was not strong, he could not steady the bike.
Because a second person on the bike was heavier than he thought, he had to pedal harder.
The road was smooth, so he pedaled harder.
Alfonso hit a pothole, so Sandra screamed.
Because it looked like they would crash, Sandra touched Alfonso’s hand.

Answer 1

Here are the correct causes and effects in the passage:

1. Because a second person on the bike was heavier than he thought, he had to pedal harder. (Cause: the weight of the person on the bike; Effect: Alfonso had to pedal harder.)

2. Alfonso hit a pothole, so Sandra screamed. (Cause: Alfonso hitting a pothole; Effect: Sandra screamed with delight.)

3. Because it looked like they would crash, Sandra touched Alfonso’s hand. (Cause: the perception of an impending crash; Effect: Sandra placed her hand over his.)

The other two statements are not accurate representations of the causes and effects in the passage:

• Because Alfonso was not strong, he could not steady the bike. (This is incorrect; the passage suggests he was able to steady the bike eventually, even if it required effort.)

• The road was smooth, so he pedaled harder. (This is incorrect; there's no mention of a smooth road affecting how hard he pedaled.)