Ascribe - Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Using high-level academic verbs in IELTS Speaking and Writing can make your responses sound more precise and sophisticated. The verb “Ascribe” is especially useful when explaining causes, sources, or qualities in a formal way. This blog explains its meaning, usage, examples, and exercises to help you use it naturally in IELTS.

Meaning of “Ascribe”

Definition:
To say or believe that something is caused by a particular person, situation, or event; to attribute a piece of work or quality to someone or something.

Example Explanation:
When you ascribe something, you are identifying its cause or source. This verb is commonly used in academic writing and formal discussions.

Origin / History

The word ascribe comes from Latin roots meaning “to write toward” or “to attribute to.” Over time, it evolved into a formal English verb mainly used in academic, legal, and analytical contexts. Today, it appears frequently in reports, research writing, and examinations like IELTS.

Examples of “Ascribe”

• Many people ascribe her success to hard work and discipline.
• Scientists often ascribe climate change to human activity.
• The quote is frequently ascribed to a famous novelist.
• Locals ascribe healing powers to the mineral-rich water.

Usage of “Ascribe” in IELTS Speaking

Here are some natural sentences:

• “Experts ascribe the rise in childhood asthma to increased air pollution.”
• “Some people ascribe my confidence to years of public speaking practice.”
• “That saying is often ascribed to Albert Einstein, though it may not be accurate.”

Pro Tip: Use “ascribe” when describing causes, influences, or sources in IELTS Speaking Part 2 and 3 for a higher-level vocabulary impression.

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer Using “Ascribe”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe Something That Influenced You

“One major factor that shaped my personality was the environment I grew up in. Many people ascribe confidence to natural talent, but I believe mine came from supportive teachers who encouraged me to speak up from a young age. Their positive reinforcement helped me overcome my shyness, and I still credit them for that change.”

Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Meaning

Select the correct meaning of “ascribe” in each sentence:

1. Researchers ascribe the improvement to better healthcare.
   a) Hide the reason
   b) Attribute the cause
   c) Deny the connection
2. The poem was wrongly ascribed to a famous poet.
   a) Said to be written by
   b) Deleted by
   c) Criticised by
3. Many cultures ascribe healing powers to herbs.
   a) Reject
   b) Believe something has a quality
   c) Limit
4. Some people ascribe their success to luck.
   a) Attribute
   b) Complicate
   c) Avoid
5. This report ascribes the delay to poor planning.
   a) Explains as caused by
   b) Ignores
   c) Discusses unrelated issues

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list:
intervene, voluntary, simulated, dispose, file, chemical, priority, thesis, hierarchy, converting

1. My number one _______________ in life is to spend time with my children.
2. We have just finished _______________ one of the bedrooms into a study room.
3. Nuclear plants must safely _______________ of their toxic waste.
4. Maslow proposed a _______________ of human needs.
5. It’s pointless to _______________ blame when the issue is minor.
6. Thousands of _______________ reactions occur in the brain every second.
7. The government refused to _______________ in the issue.
8. Please _______________ these documents alphabetically.
9. Surgeons practise on _______________ patients before real operations.
10. Helping the elderly is often a _______________ activity.

Answers

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. b
2. a
3. b
4. a
5. a

Exercise 2 Answers:

1. priority
2. converting
3. dispose
4. hierarchy
5. ascribe
6. chemical
7. intervene
8. file
9. simulated
10. voluntary

Mastering high-utility verbs like “ascribe” can significantly boost your Lexical Resource score in both IELTS Speaking and Writing. Use it to express causes, responsibility, or attribution with precision. Keep practising with examples and topic-based exercises to build confident, natural usage on test day. 

Useful Links:

• Intractable: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS
• Woes - Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing
• Obsolete - Word of the Day for IELTS Speaking and Writing
• Debase - Word of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing