TASK DEFINITION: In this task your given two statements. You must judge whether the second sentence is the cause or effect of the first one. Label the instances as "cause" or "effect" based on your judgment. The sentences are separated by a newline character.
PROBLEM: The boy read the novel aloud to his grandfather.
His grandfather was blind.

SOLUTION: cause

PROBLEM: I excused myself from the group.
My phone rang.

SOLUTION: cause

PROBLEM: The executive decided not to hire the applicant.
The applicant failed a background check.

SOLUTION:
cause