English guide
Choose reason and result connectors by meaning, phrase structure and punctuation, with original workplace questions and explanations for all options.
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What this guide covers
Compare the explanations and original examples.
Keep the sentence unchanged and justify one option.
Use the distinction in a new workplace sentence.
A report becomes confusing when it reverses the cause and the result. The server failed, so the booking page closed moves from cause to effect. The booking page closed because the server failed starts with the effect and then explains it. The connector tells the reader how to interpret the relationship.
Check three things in order: which fact explains which, whether the words after the gap form a phrase or a clause, and what punctuation is already printed. Words such as therefore and because cannot simply be swapped, even when both concern the same event. Several result adverbs can also be equally valid, so these exercises do not oppose synonyms without a real distinction.
These original exercises were prepared by English AIdol with AI assistance. A separate AI content review checked every question, answer explanation and teaching section. No human expert or examiner review, ETS endorsement, or calibrated difficulty is claimed. This page does not save answers or estimate an official score.
Part 5 asks you to complete sentences by choosing from four options. The full TOEIC Reading section has 100 questions and a 75-minute limit. This untimed topic lesson is not a complete or equated test. See ETS: About the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test and the ETS: TOEIC Listening & Reading Score User Guide.
A reason clause supplies a subject and a verb. It can come before or after the main claim, with punctuation adjusted to the order.
Because of and as a result of precede a noun phrase naming the cause. As a result without of can instead introduce a new statement of the effect.
So can connect a cause clause to a following result clause. Do not use both because and so as competing links in the same simple two-clause structure.
When they connect two independent clauses in formal writing, use a full stop or semicolon at the clause boundary. They are not substitutes for so after a comma alone.
An effect results from its cause. A cause leads to its effect. The preposition is part of the expression and helps preserve that direction.
The access road was blocked, ___ the delivery driver used another entrance.
so
The road blockage is the cause, and using another entrance is the response. So connects the two clauses in the printed comma pattern. Therefore would need different clause punctuation in standard formal writing.
Choose the option that completes the printed sentence in standard written English. Keep every other word unchanged. Write your choice and a reason before opening the explanation.
The invoice was returned ___ the purchase-order number was absent.
(A) because of
(B) because
(C) due to
(D) as a result of
Answer: (B) because
Completed sentence: The invoice was returned because the purchase-order number was absent.
The lift was unavailable, ___ the delivery team used the stairs.
(A) therefore
(B) consequently
(C) because of
(D) so
Answer: (D) so
Completed sentence: The lift was unavailable, so the delivery team used the stairs.
The session ended early because ___ a power failure.
(A) of
(B) to
(C) from
(D) for
Answer: (A) of
Completed sentence: The session ended early because of a power failure.
The only access bridge was declared unsafe; ___, the bus service had to use a longer route.
(A) because
(B) due to
(C) therefore
(D) so that
Answer: (C) therefore
Completed sentence: The only access bridge was declared unsafe; therefore, the bus service had to use a longer route.
The report identified a postcode error as the cause: the delay resulted ___ an incorrect postcode on the parcel.
(A) to
(B) from
(C) for
(D) in
Answer: (B) from
Completed sentence: The report identified a postcode error as the cause: the delay resulted from an incorrect postcode on the parcel.
The incorrect postcode led ___ a two-day delivery delay.
(A) from
(B) of
(C) for
(D) to
Answer: (D) to
Completed sentence: The incorrect postcode led to a two-day delivery delay.
As a result ___ the roadworks, deliveries now arrive through the rear gate.
(A) of
(B) to
(C) from
(D) with
Answer: (A) of
Completed sentence: As a result of the roadworks, deliveries now arrive through the rear gate.
___ the training room has no internet connection, the instructor will bring printed materials.
(A) Due to
(B) Because of
(C) Because
(D) As a result of
Answer: (C) Because
Completed sentence: Because the training room has no internet connection, the instructor will bring printed materials.
All the morning appointments were booked, ___ the receptionist offered an afternoon slot.
(A) therefore
(B) so
(C) as a result
(D) because of
Answer: (B) so
Completed sentence: All the morning appointments were booked, so the receptionist offered an afternoon slot.
The venue lost power. ___, the presentation was postponed until the next morning.
(A) Because
(B) Due to
(C) Although
(D) Consequently
Answer: (D) Consequently
Completed sentence: The venue lost power. Consequently, the presentation was postponed until the next morning.
The project required another review as a ___ of changes to the safety specification.
(A) result
(B) resulted
(C) resulting
(D) results
Answer: (A) result
Completed sentence: The project required another review as a result of changes to the safety specification.
Repeated interruptions have led to ___ in the checking process.
(A) delayed
(B) to delay
(C) delays
(D) delays occur
Answer: (C) delays
Completed sentence: Repeated interruptions have led to delays in the checking process.
The manager rejected the draft because it ___ several unsupported figures.
(A) containing
(B) contained
(C) to contain
(D) contain
Answer: (B) contained
Completed sentence: The manager rejected the draft because it contained several unsupported figures.
The replacement part is no longer manufactured; ___, we must choose a different model.
(A) because of
(B) since
(C) although
(D) therefore
Answer: (D) therefore
Completed sentence: The replacement part is no longer manufactured; therefore, we must choose a different model.
The equipment failure ___ from a loose electrical connection, according to the inspection report.
(A) resulted
(B) resulting
(C) to result
(D) result
Answer: (A) resulted
Completed sentence: The equipment failure resulted from a loose electrical connection, according to the inspection report.
Attendance increased as a result of ___ the workshop at a more convenient time.
(A) hold
(B) held
(C) holding
(D) to hold
Answer: (C) holding
Completed sentence: Attendance increased as a result of holding the workshop at a more convenient time.
The original room was too small for the confirmed group, ___ we moved the seminar to the main hall.
(A) therefore
(B) so
(C) consequently
(D) due to
Answer: (B) so
Completed sentence: The original room was too small for the confirmed group, so we moved the seminar to the main hall.
The revised filing system has ___ to fewer misplaced records.
(A) lead
(B) leading
(C) leads
(D) led
Answer: (D) led
Completed sentence: The revised filing system has led to fewer misplaced records.
The technician replaced the cable ___ it had a visible break in the insulation.
(A) because
(B) because of
(C) owing to
(D) as a result of
Answer: (A) because
Completed sentence: The technician replaced the cable because it had a visible break in the insulation.
The street was closed for resurfacing. As a ___, customers had to use the rear entrance.
(A) resulted
(B) resulting
(C) result
(D) results
Answer: (C) result
Completed sentence: The street was closed for resurfacing. As a result, customers had to use the rear entrance.
Explain the distinction in your own words, then try these tasks without copying a practice sentence. The answers illustrate possible responses; alternatives may work where the task allows them.
Join “The label was unreadable” and “The parcel was held” with because, then with so.
The parcel was held because the label was unreadable. / The label was unreadable, so the parcel was held.
Because introduces the reason; so introduces the result. The cause stays the same when the order changes.
Repair the punctuation in “The hall was full, therefore, we opened another room”.
The hall was full; therefore, we opened another room.
A full stop is another option. Therefore alone does not turn the comma into a standard independent-clause join.
Express the same relationship using resulted from and led to: an address error caused a delay.
The delay resulted from an address error. / An address error led to the delay.
The first subject is the effect; the second is the cause. Preserve that direction when changing expressions.
Sources checked on . The examples, questions and explanations are original teaching material, not official or recalled test items. This correction replaces the earlier lesson’s inappropriate IELTS-style scoring. An answer count on these exercises does not convert to an official TOEIC score.
Continue with the TOEIC study page. For a factual correction, see our editorial policy.
Yes. They often express the same result relationship. Context or punctuation must provide a genuine distinction if a question offers both.
Usually not. Because introduces a finite reason clause, whereas because of introduces a noun or -ing phrase.
No. The subject of result from is the effect; the subject of causal lead to is the cause. Reversing the phrase without changing the subjects reverses the explanation.
No. These original, untimed teaching questions have not been equated to an ETS form. Use them to explain and practise a language pattern, not to calculate an official score.