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← Level B lessonsMOUNT ETNA · LEVEL B · UNIT 9

Because Of, As a Result, Although: Linking Causes and Effects

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Words from the text: as a result, although, therefore, as well as, result, disrupt, suspend, operator, capacity, hazard, schedule, reposition

A We already know the conjunction because + subject + verb (Unit 4). Before a noun or noun phrase (no verb), we use the preposition because of. To link two separate sentences and show a result, we can start a new sentence with as a result or therefore (+ comma).

Flights were suspended because of volcanic ash and dangerous winds.

Mount Etna became active again. As a result, Catania Airport had to suspend all scheduled flights.

Volcanic ash can damage engines. Therefore, the airport operator closed the airspace quickly.

The eruption created a serious hazard for aircraft. As a result, several flights were diverted.

Because + подлежащее + глагол, но because of + существительное (без глагола): because the ash was dangerous → because of the danger. Не путайте! As a result и therefore начинают новое предложение, после них ставится запятая.

B We use although + subject + verb to show a contrast: something happens even though another thing (usually a problem) is also true. Although and but have a similar meaning, but we do not use them together in one sentence.

Although passengers were affected by the disruption, some flights continued through diversions.

Although the airport operated with reduced capacity at first, it later had to suspend all operations.

Some carriers cancelled their flights, although others chose to divert instead.

Не пишите although ... but ... в одном предложении: правильно — Although passengers were affected, some flights continued. Неправильно — Although passengers were affected, but some flights continued.

C We use as well as + noun or -ing form to add extra information (= in addition to). The verb result is also useful: result from (= be caused by) and result in (= cause).

The disruption was caused by the ash cloud, as well as by strong winds.

Reduced capacity resulted from the dangerous wind conditions near the airport.

The suspension resulted in long delays as well as extra costs for airlines.

Airlines may need extra time to reposition aircraft as well as to restore the normal schedule.

Exercises

Write your answers below, then open Answers. There is no automatic checking. Entries are not saved when you leave this page.

9.1 Join the two sentences using the word in brackets. Make any necessary changes.

Example: Mount Etna erupted. Catania Airport suspended flights. (as a result) → Mount Etna erupted. As a result, Catania Airport suspended flights.

  1. Volcanic ash reached 4 kilometres. A red VONA was issued. (therefore)
  2. Ten flights were diverted. Passengers had to find other transport. (as a result)
  3. Reduced capacity caused delays. The airport did not fully close at first. (although)
  4. Strong winds caused problems. Volcanic ash caused problems. (as well as)
  5. Many flights were cancelled. Some flights continued through diversions. (although)
  6. The ash cloud can damage engines. Pilots must avoid flying through it. (therefore)
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Volcanic ash reached 4 kilometres. Therefore, a red VONA was issued.
  2. Ten flights were diverted. As a result, passengers had to find other transport.
  3. Although reduced capacity caused delays, the airport did not fully close at first.
  4. Strong winds caused problems, as well as volcanic ash.
  5. Although many flights were cancelled, some flights continued through diversions.
  6. The ash cloud can damage engines. Therefore, pilots must avoid flying through it.

9.2 Rewrite the sentences, changing because + clause to because of + noun.

Example: Flights were suspended because the ash cloud was dangerous. → Flights were suspended because of the dangerous ash cloud.

  1. Catania Airport closed because volcanic ash was present.
  2. The airline cancelled the flight because wind conditions were dangerous.
  3. Passengers needed extra transport because the flight was diverted.
  4. The schedule was disrupted because the volcano erupted.
  5. Operations stopped because the hazard to aircraft engines increased.
  6. The airspace sectors were closed because the ash plume was moving south.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Catania Airport closed because of the presence of volcanic ash.
  2. The airline cancelled the flight because of dangerous wind conditions.
  3. Passengers needed extra transport because of the flight diversion.
  4. The schedule was disrupted because of the volcanic eruption.
  5. Operations stopped because of the increased hazard to aircraft engines.
  6. The airspace sectors were closed because of the moving ash plume.

9.3 Complete the sentences with a word or phrase from the box.

because of | as a result | although | therefore | as well as | resulted

Example: Flights were suspended ______ volcanic ash and dangerous winds. → because of

  1. The ash plume reached 4 km. , a red VONA was issued.
  2. some flights were diverted, some passengers still had to wait a long time.
  3. Reduced capacity from the approaching ash cloud.
  4. The restrictions were caused by the ash cloud strong winds.
  5. KM Malta Airlines cancelled two flights the volcanic activity.
  6. , the restrictions were tightened and the airport suspended all operations.
  7. some carriers diverted their flights, others decided to cancel them.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. therefore
  2. although
  3. resulted
  4. as well as
  5. because of
  6. as a result
  7. although

9.4 Write three sentences about the consequences of the Etna eruption, using as a result, although and as well as (one each).

Example: (because of) → Catania Airport closed because of volcanic ash and strong winds.

  1. (as a result)
  2. (although)
  3. (as well as)
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. The ash cloud reached 4 kilometres. As a result, a red VONA was issued.
  2. Although several flights were cancelled, some passengers reached Catania by bus from Palermo.
  3. The disruption was caused by the ash cloud, as well as by dangerous wind conditions.