Cause and Effect Linking Words: Multiple Choice

Choose the linking word or phrase that completes each sentence. Your first choice counts.

1. The baby woke up at midnight _____ the neighbours' dog was barking.

2. The café had run out of milk _____ the waiter brought me a black coffee instead.

3. The car broke down on the motorway, and _____ we missed the start of my cousin's wedding.

4. The tickets were sold out, _____ we watched the concert online.

5. I'm not going to the gym today, _____ my knee still hurts.

6. A: Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors? B: _____ I've got an eye infection.

7. _____ rising energy prices, our local swimming pool now closes at eight.

8. I couldn't concentrate on my homework, _____ the noise from the building work next door.

9. The museum is closed today _____ a problem with the heating.

10. It's going to rain this afternoon, _____ take an umbrella with you.

11. The delay was _____ a technical problem with the train.

12. A: The last bus has already gone. B: _____ how are we going to get home?

13. We ate dinner in the kitchen _____ we were painting the dining room.

14. _____ my phone battery was dead, I couldn't call you back.

15. It snowed heavily all night. _____, most schools in the area were closed the next day.

16. Lena didn't enjoy the boat trip, _____ she felt seasick the whole time.

17. A: Why did you leave the cinema early? B: _____ the people behind us. They talked through the whole film!

18. The airport computers stopped working for six hours. Hundreds of passengers, _____, missed their flights.

19. A: Is Jamal coming to the party tonight? B: No, he's got an important exam tomorrow, _____ he's staying in to revise.

20. _____ the bus strike, half of my class arrived late this morning.