Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score - Topic: Responsibility

The most important element that distinguishes a better IELTS score from an excellent one is the vocabulary. But a proper set of vocabulary does not just mean knowing a long list of words. But, it also means knowing how to properly use them naturally. This is exactly where these kinds of key word collocations like ‘responsibility’ come in to the scene. 

Words like these will surely sound natural to native speakers, and when you are using them correctly in your IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing exam, it will show that you have a firm command of the English language. 

In this article, we will learn all about this collocation keyword ‘responsibility’ with the help of our expert crafted practice exercises that you can use in both academic and everyday English.

Practice Exercise: Keyword - Responsibility

1. Verb+Responsibility

Use the correct form of these verbs:

1. As a security officer, I ______ the responsibility for ensuring that nothing is stolen from the office.
2. The club does not______ responsibility for loss of or damage to club members’ personal property.
3. No terrorist organisation has yet ______ responsibility for this latest bomb outrage.
4. The problem is out of my hands now that Derek Winton has ______ responsibility for the business. He took over full responsibility for the running of the firm last week.
5. The rail company are trying to evade responsibility for the disaster. I don’t know how they can possibly ______ responsibility for an accident which involved their trains.
6. We must be clear about where the responsibility ______. Personally, I think the responsibility for the present crisis rests squarely on the government.

2. Common Adjective Collocations

Use the following adjectives in these sentences:

1. Being the captain of the team is a ______ responsibility. A lot rests on your shoulders. I think it takes a special kind of person to deal with such a heavy responsibility.
2. I’m only in charge of the lower school. The person with ______ responsibility for the whole school is the headmaster.
3. I don’t feel ready to take on new or   ______ responsibilities at the moment.
4. I think that working parents should take ______ responsibility for their children’s upbringing and education. They need to share the responsibility.
5. I won’t try to make any excuses. I accept responsibility for my mistake.
6. The accused pleaded not guilty on the grounds of ______  responsibility. He claimed that he had been under a lot of stress at the time of the crime.

3. Noun+of+Responsibility

Complete the sentences below with these nouns:

1. The job is a demanding one, involving a wide ______ of responsibilities.
2. For a person in a ______ of such responsibility, the managing director’s conduct at the meeting was unacceptable.
3. We hope that their visit to the retirement home will instill in the children a ______ of responsibility towards the elderly in the community.
4. I’m afraid you’re complaining to the wrong person. This matter is outside my ______ of responsibility.
5. There had been a complete ______ of responsibility in the ferry company. Nobody will accept any responsibility for the disaster in which 350 people lost their lives.
6. A key factor in managing a successful business is the ______ of responsibility.

Answer Key: Keyword - Responsibility

Exercise 1:

l. have

2. accept

3. claimed

4. assumed

5. deny

6. lies

Exercise 2:

l. huge

2. overall

3. extra

4. equal

5. full

6. diminished

Exercise 3:

1. range

2. position

3. sense

4. area

5. abdication

6. delegation

See also:

• IELTS Vocabulary
• IELTS Vocabulary books
• IELTS Listening Vocabulary
• Sports Vocabulary IELTS
• English Pronunciation in use Intermediate pdf
• Work Vocabulary IELTS
• Advanced Vocabulary for IELTS