Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Practice Exam

Which of the following structures best describes the relationship of factors leading to a specific outcome?

1. Comparison

2. Cause and effect

3. Descriptive

4. Sequence

The correct answer is: Cause and effect

The structure that best describes the relationship of factors leading to a specific outcome is the cause and effect structure. This approach focuses on identifying a cause (or multiple causes) and demonstrating how these causes result in a particular effect or outcome. By utilizing this structure, one can clearly establish how specific factors contribute to or influence the occurrence of an event or situation, thereby enabling a deeper understanding of that relationship. For instance, if discussing the impact of reading proficiency on academic success, the cause would be the improvement in reading skills, while the effect would be higher performance in other academic areas. This clear delineation allows for better comprehension of the dynamics involved. In contrast, comparison structures focus on evaluating similarities and differences between two or more subjects, while descriptive structures provide detailed attributes or characteristics of a subject without analyzing relationships. A sequence structure, on the other hand, outlines a chronological order of events or steps, rather than showcasing how one factor leads directly to another.