Cause and effect – C1 English Vocabulary

Cause and effect – C1 English Vocabulary

Exercise 2

Choose the correct options to complete these sentences.

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1 The lack of affordable housing has ____ the increase in homelessness in many cities.

A. contributed to

B. stemmed from

C. arisen from

D. been attributed to

2 The new policy ____ major improvements in the way the company operates.

A. stemmed from

B. brought about

C. arose from

D. was attributed to

3 The sudden power outage ____ a wave of complaints from customers.

A. had repercussions

B. stemmed from

C. triggered

D. was attributed to

4 The decision to close the factory ____ growing concern among the employees.

A. spelled disaster for

B. stemmed from

C. was attributed to

D. fuelled

5 The report's findings ____ a debate about the future of artificial intelligence.

A. sparked

B. had far-reaching consequences for

C. arose from

D. were attributed to

6 Many of the current economic difficulties ____ decisions made several years ago.

A. contributed to

B. brought about

C. stemmed from

D. triggered

7 The sudden resignation of the director ____ widespread speculation that there were problems within the organisation.

A. wreaked havoc on

B. gave rise to

C. stemmed from

D. was attributed to

8 Although it is not the only cause, excessive screen time can ____ health problems in young people.

A. arise from

B. contribute to

C. be attributed to

D. prompt speculation about

9 The discovery ____ a series of investigations that continued for several years.

A. had a knock-on effect

B. set in motion

C. spelled disaster

D. stemmed from

10 The false information online has ____ public fears about the safety of the new technology.

A. accounted for

B. been attributed to

C. had repercussions

D. fuelled

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Cause and effect – C1 English Vocabulary

In this Advanced Vocabulary lesson, you will learn advanced verbs, expressions, and common collocations used to describe causes, consequences, and reactions. The chart, definitions, and example sentences below will help you understand and remember the terms and use them naturally in context. Read the definitions and example sentences to learn how these terms are used naturally.

Verbs and causal expressions

1 To give rise to something means to cause it to happen or exist, especially a problem, concern, reaction, or situation.

• The rapid growth of tourism has given rise to concerns about overcrowding.

2 To bring about something means to cause it, especially a change, improvement, or development.

• The new technology could bring about major changes in the way we work.

3 To trigger something means to cause it to start suddenly.

• The announcement triggered a sharp fall in share prices.

4 To spark something means to cause it to begin, often suddenly, especially a debate or discussion.

• The decision sparked a heated debate about privacy.

5 To provoke something means to cause a strong reaction or feeling.

• His comments provoked an angry response from local residents.

6 To prompt something means to cause or encourage a reaction or action. It is often followed by a person or organisation and an infinitive structure: ‘prompt someone to do something’.

• The accident prompted the authorities to review safety procedures.

7 To contribute to something means to help cause it.

• A lack of affordable housing has contributed to rising homelessness.

8 If something stems from something else, it is caused by it.

• Many of the problems stem from a lack of long-term planning.

9 If something is attributed to a particular cause, that cause is believed to be responsible for it.

• The increase in sales has been attributed to the company’s new advertising campaign.

10 If something arises from something else, it happens as a result of it.

• Most disputes arise from misunderstandings rather than genuine disagreements.

Collocations and fixed expressions

11 To set something in motion means to start a process or series of events.

• The discovery set in motion a series of investigations.

12 To prompt speculation means to cause people to start guessing about something.

• Her sudden resignation prompted speculation about problems within the company.

13 To spark controversy means to cause strong public disagreement or debate.

• The proposed law has sparked controversy among doctors and politicians.

14 To have far-reaching consequences means to have important effects that affect many people or continue for a long time.

• The decision could have far-reaching consequences for the entire industry.

15 To have repercussions means to have further, usually negative, consequences.

• Cutting funding for education could have serious repercussions for future generations.

16 To have a knock-on effect means to cause an indirect effect that leads to further effects.

• Higher fuel prices can have a knock-on effect on the cost of food and other goods.

17 To wreak havoc means to cause serious damage or disruption.

• The storm wreaked havoc across the region, damaging homes and roads.

18 If something spells disaster, it is likely to lead to a disastrous result.

• A further rise in interest rates could spell disaster for heavily indebted businesses.

19 To account for something means to explain why something happened or represent a particular amount of something.

• Poor maintenance accounted for many of the equipment failures.

20 To fuel something means to make a problem, feeling, or situation stronger. It is often used with negative things such as anger, fears, speculation, or conflict.

• Rising prices have fuelled public anger over the cost of living.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Cause and Effect, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.