Difference between cause of and reason for

[Helen]

Test No. errors/advan-8 "Admire his Achievement", question 7

I've asked again and again but nobody seems capable of explaining the reason of the accident that took place last week.

(a) I've asked
(b) capable of explaining
(c) reason
(d) took place

Test No. errors/advan-8 "Admire his Achievement", answer 7

I've asked again and again but nobody seems capable of explaining the cause of the accident that took place last week.

Correct entry: cause
The error was: (c) reason

Your answer was: n/a
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What's the nuance between "cause" and "reason"?

[Alan]

I think the difference is in the use of which preposition. Cause of gets to the heart of the matter whereas reason for merely gives a general explanation. The cause of the accident was the ice on the road but the reason for the accident was that the driver wasn't driving cerfully enough in those weather conditions.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Are you a Persuader?

[suzanverberne]

Reason involves a human (conscious, rational) action; cause does not.