Which clue words indicate a cause and effect relationship?

The choice that indicates a cause and effect relationship is indeed the one that includes the clue words "because of," "since," and "as a result." These phrases are directly linked to explaining why something happens (the cause) and what happens as a consequence (the effect). For example, when you say, "It rained, and as a result, the ground got wet," the phrase "as a result" clearly establishes a connection between the rainfall (cause) and the wet ground (effect).

The other choices include words that do not convey this direct relationship. For instance, contrasting words like "on the other hand" and "but" serve to compare or contrast two different ideas rather than clarify a cause and effect. Sequential words like "first," "next," and "last" indicate the order of events but do not explicitly explain why one event influences another. Lastly, words such as "who," "what," and "where" are interrogative and serve to ask questions about subjects and details rather than highlight cause-and-effect dynamics. Thus, the words in the correct choice are specifically designed to show how one event leads to another, making them key indicators of a cause and effect relationship.