English Standard Four: Topic 5 – Using Conjunctions (So and Because)

Introduction

In this lesson, pupils learn how to use the conjunctions because and so to join ideas and explain reasons and results. A conjunction is a word used to join words, phrases or sentences.

1. Using BECAUSE

Because is used to give a reason. It answers the question Why?

Pattern: Result + because + reason.

• Amina is happy because she passed the examination.
• Juma stayed at home because he was sick.
• The pupils are running because they are late.
• We carried umbrellas because it was raining.

2. Using SO

So is used to show a result or what happens because of a situation.

Pattern: Reason or situation + so + result.

• It was raining, so we stayed indoors.
• I was hungry, so I ate some food.
• She studied hard, so she passed the examination.
• The bus was late, so the passengers waited.
• He was tired, so he went to bed early.

3. The difference between BECAUSE and SO

Because introduces the reason, while so introduces the result.

Because – reason	So – result
We stayed inside because it was raining.	It was raining, so we stayed inside.
Juma was absent because he was sick.	Juma was sick, so he was absent.

4. Examples from our environment

• At home: I washed the dishes because my mother asked me. / My mother asked me, so I washed the dishes.
• At school: The pupils were quiet because the teacher was speaking. / The teacher was speaking, so the pupils were quiet.
• At the market: We went to the market because we needed fruits. / We needed fruits, so we went to the market.
• At the bus station: The passengers hurried because the bus was leaving. / The bus was leaving, so the passengers hurried.

5. Reading passage: Why Did the Pupils Stay Inside?

It was raining heavily in the morning, so the pupils stayed in their classroom. They stayed inside because the playground was wet. Their teacher gave them a reading activity because she wanted them to practise English. The pupils completed the activity, so the teacher praised them.

Comprehension questions

1. Why did the pupils stay in the classroom?
2. Why was the playground wet?
3. Why did the teacher give them a reading activity?
4. What happened after the pupils completed the activity?

6. Classroom activities

• Oral practice: The teacher says a situation and pupils complete it using because or so.
• Pair work: Pupils ask and answer questions beginning with “Why…?” using because.
• Sentence matching: Pupils match reasons with their results and join them using so.
• Sentence transformation: Pupils express the same cause-and-result relationship using both conjunctions.

7. Exercises

Exercise A: Fill in the blanks with BECAUSE or SO

1. It was cold, ______ I wore a sweater.
2. Neema was happy ______ she won the game.
3. We went to the hospital ______ my brother was sick.
4. The road was wet, ______ the driver drove slowly.

Exercise B: Choose the correct answer

1. I was absent ______ I was sick. (because / so)
2. It was getting dark, ______ we went home. (because / so)
3. She smiled ______ she was pleased. (because / so)
4. The teacher was late, ______ the lesson started late. (because / so)

Exercise C: Join the sentences using BECAUSE

1. Juma was tired. He went to bed early.
2. Asha carried an umbrella. It was raining.
3. The pupils were quiet. The head teacher was speaking.

Exercise D: Join the sentences using SO

1. It was hot. We drank water.
2. The bell rang. The pupils entered the classroom.
3. Mary studied hard. She passed the test.

Exercise E: Make your own sentences

Write two sentences using because and two sentences using so.

Exercise F: Guided writing

Write four sentences about what happens at your school. Use because in two sentences and so in two sentences.

8. Answer guide

Exercise A: 1. so; 2. because; 3. so; 4. because; 5. so.

Exercise B: 1. because; 2. so; 3. because; 4. so.

Exercise C (sample answers): 1. Juma went to bed early because he was tired. 2. Asha carried an umbrella because it was raining. 3. The pupils were quiet because the head teacher was speaking.

Exercise D (sample answers): 1. It was hot, so we drank water. 2. The bell rang, so the pupils entered the classroom. 3. Mary studied hard, so she passed the test.

Comprehension: 1. Because it was raining heavily. 2. Because it was raining. 3. Because she wanted them to practise English. 4. The teacher praised them.

9. Assessment

A pupil should be able to explain the difference between because and so, choose the correct conjunction, join two related ideas and write simple sentences expressing reasons and results.

10. Support for slow learners

• Use familiar pictures and real situations to explain reasons and results.
• Begin with short oral sentences before asking pupils to write.
• Provide sentence frames such as “I am happy because …” and “It was raining, so …”.
• Allow pupils to work with a supportive partner and give extra guided practice.

11. Teaching and learning resources

Picture cards, sentence strips, the chalkboard, flashcards showing everyday situations, and the English Standard Four Pupil’s Book.

12. Summary

Because gives a reason, while so shows a result. Pupils use these conjunctions to connect ideas clearly when speaking and writing.