each event led logically from what had gone before

[WilliamTaft]

The nineteenth century was the time that saw what we call “realism” develop in the European theater. Uh, to understand this, though, we first need to look at an earlier form of drama known as the “well-made play,” which, basically, was a pattern for constructing plays—plays that, um, beginning with some early nineteenth-century comedies in France, proved very successful commercially. The dramatic devices used here weren’t actually anything new—they’d been around for centuries. But the formula for a well-made play required that certain of these elements be included, in a particular order, and—most importantly—that everything in the play be logically connected. In fact, some of these playwrights would start by writing the end of a play and work backward toward the beginning, just to make sure each event led logically from what had gone before.

Source: A paragraph from a listening practice on ETS.com. ETS stands for Educational Testing Service.

Does "led" mean "cause" in this context?
Is there anything omitted around it?
Can I add "to" after it?
What is the subject and object of it?
Is there a word or phrase to replace it?

 

[Tarheel]

I would use "follows" there, so maybe it's something close to that.

 

[WilliamTaft]

Could anyone help me?

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, did you not read my post? Two, just as in an essay you want to make sure each sentence logically follows the previous one, you want to make sure in a play that the action logically follows what has come before.

 

[Tarheel]

Maybe one of the professional teachers will comment on this one.

 

[emsr2d2]

It simply means "followed on".

 

[teechar]

each event led logically from what had gone before.

each event was the logical result/consequence of previous events.

 

[Tarheel]

It simply means "followed on".

Please explain.

 

[Rover_KE]

You suggested 'follows' in post #2.

'Followed (on)' is the past tense of that, matching 'led' in the OP.

 

[Tarheel]

It's used in cricket.

 

[jutfrank]

It's a direct synonym of 'followed'. We use the verb 'follow' to talk about logical consequences.