Two events in a passage can be linked by cause, by sequence or by contrast. Decide which link the text supports, then write it with the matching linking word.
This lesson is part of close reading and evidence in the SPM Bible Knowledge learning guide. The passage is original, written for practice.
The original passage
“In the third month the village well dried up. In the fourth month the families agreed to share the river channel, and each household took turns to draw water.”
The three types
| Link | Meaning | Linking words |
|---|---|---|
| Cause and effect | The first event led to the second | because, so, as a result |
| Sequence | One followed the other, no link is stated | after, then, later |
| Contrast | The second differs from the first | but, whereas, however |
Worked example
Question: “Explain the relationship between the drying of the well and the families’ agreement.”
Step 1. Name the events: the well dried up (month three); the families agreed to share the river channel (month four).
Step 2. Decide the link. The passage does not use “because”, but water running out and then a water-sharing plan strongly suggest a cause. The sequence is certain, and the cause is a supported inference.
Step 3. Write it carefully: “The well dried up in the third month, and after that the families agreed to share the river channel. This suggests the lack of water led them to cooperate, because the new plan gave every household turns to draw water.”
The answer states the certain link (after) and labels the inference (suggests).
When “because” is too strong
Change the passage: “In the third month the well dried up. In the fourth month a wedding was held in the village.” The events still follow each other, but nothing links them.
Here the safe answer is: “The wedding came after the well dried up. The passage does not say the two are connected.” Writing “because” would invent a link.
The mistake that flips the order
Another slip is swapping cause and effect: “The families agreed to share, so the well dried up.” The order in the passage is the reverse.
Check by asking: which event is the reason for the other? Put the cause first, use the linking word, and read the sentence aloud to hear if it makes sense.
Check yourself
In the original passage, which link would you write for “each household took turns” and “the families agreed to share the river channel”? Write one sentence.
Answer
The turns follow from the agreement. A sentence: “The families agreed to share the river channel, and as a result each household took turns to draw water.”
The passage joins them in one sentence, so the link is supported as cause and effect. “As a result” is the matching linking phrase.
What to study next
Test your judgement on the close reading and evidence practice set, or go back to supporting an explanation with the right evidence.
If you want a teacher to work through event links in your school passages, see online one-to-one Bible Knowledge tuition, which starts with a one-hour trial class (from RM50).