Updated on January 03, 2025
by PushtoLearn
Test your English

Taking Responsibility

This vocabulary set highlights terms and phrases related to personal, social, and legal responsibility. These words are useful in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks when discussing topics like human rights, accountability, and community initiatives.

Taking Responsibility Flashcards - Vocabulary Practice for IELTS

These exercises focus on Taking Responsibility Vocabulary

 

List of Taking Responsibility Words for the IELTS

Word/Phrase

Definition

Example

Welfare

The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.

Governments are responsible for the welfare of their citizens.

Decade

A period of ten years.

The past decade has seen significant advancements in technology.

Rights Of

Legal or moral entitlements.

The rights of workers must be respected.

Entitled To

Having a right to something.

Everyone is entitled to freedom of expression.

Freedom of Expression

The right to express opinions freely.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

Violate

To break or disregard a rule or law.

Any attempt to violate human rights should be condemned.

On a Large Scale

In a widespread or extensive manner.

Pollution is occurring on a large scale in urban areas.

Human Rights Abuse

Violation of basic human rights.

The report highlighted instances of human rights abuse.

Peacefully

Without violence or conflict.

Protesters demonstrated peacefully for their rights.

Be Signed

To formally agree to a document.

The treaty will be signed by both parties next week.

Apply

To make use of or put into practice.

New laws will apply to all citizens equally.

Free and Equal in Dignity

Having the same rights and respect as others.

All people are free and equal in dignity under the law.

Right to a Fair Trial

The legal right to a just court hearing.

Everyone has the right to a fair trial regardless of their background.

Freedom from Torture

Protection against inhumane treatment.

The law guarantees freedom from torture for all individuals.

Safeguard

To protect or ensure the safety of something.

Policies must be in place to safeguard children’s rights.

Equal Treatment

Fair and unbiased treatment for everyone.

Gender equality ensures equal treatment in the workplace.

Legal Framework

A system of rules and regulations.

A strong legal framework is essential for upholding justice.

Complain To

To express dissatisfaction to someone.

You can complain to the management if you encounter issues.

Update

To bring something up to date.

The system requires an urgent update to improve security.

Confidentiality

Keeping information private or secret.

Patient confidentiality must always be respected in healthcare.

Data Protection

Measures to keep personal data secure.

Companies are required to comply with data protection laws.

Declaration

A formal statement or announcement.

The country issued a declaration on human rights.

Obey the Rules

To follow and adhere to regulations.

Students must obey the rules of the school at all times.

Convention

An agreement or practice followed by a group.

The convention on climate change was attended by global leaders.

Bullying

Intimidating or harming someone repeatedly.

Schools must take action to prevent bullying.

Fundraising

Collecting money for a specific cause.

The community organized a fundraising event for the local hospital.

Representative

A person chosen to act on behalf of others.

The representative spoke at the meeting on behalf of the students.

Peer Mentoring

Guidance provided by someone of similar age or status.

Peer mentoring programs help new students adjust to university life.

Purpose

The reason for which something is done.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss new policies.

Head Teacher

The principal of a school.

The head teacher addressed the students during the assembly.

Responsibility

A duty or obligation to do something.

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect the environment.

Membership

Being part of a group or organization.

Membership in the club is open to all students.

Fortnight

A period of two weeks.

The school will close for a fortnight during the holidays.

Elect a Chairperson

To choose a leader for a group or meeting.

The council will elect a chairperson next month.

Circulate

To distribute something to many people.

The agenda was circulated to all attendees before the meeting.

Behalf

In the interest of or as a representative.

He spoke on behalf of the entire team.

Observer

A person who watches or monitors something.

An observer from the UN attended the peace talks.

Settlement

An official agreement to resolve a dispute.

The two countries reached a settlement after months of negotiations.

Equip

To provide necessary tools or skills.

The course aims to equip students with leadership skills.

Conflict Resolution

The process of resolving disputes.

Conflict resolution strategies are essential in the workplace.

Fellow

A person in the same group or situation.

He shared his experience with his fellow students.

Authority

The power or right to give orders.

The teacher has the authority to enforce rules in the classroom.

Underlying Belief

A basic or fundamental principle.

The underlying belief of the movement is equality for all.

Solution

An answer to a problem.

They proposed a practical solution to reduce traffic congestion.

Conclusion

The final part or outcome.

In conclusion, strict laws are necessary to protect citizens’ rights.

Tax

A financial charge imposed by the government.

Citizens must pay tax to support public services.

Traffic Jam

A situation where vehicles are stopped or move slowly.

The city is notorious for its daily traffic jams.

Crowded

Full of people, packed.

The train was so crowded that many passengers couldn’t sit.

Lorry

A large vehicle for transporting goods.

Several lorries deliver supplies to the factory daily.

Reduce

To make smaller or less in amount.

Efforts to reduce air pollution are essential for public health.

Contribute

To help bring about a result.

Everyone can contribute to making the world a better place.

Alert

Quick to notice and respond to danger.

Drivers must remain alert to avoid accidents.

Previous

Earlier or before something else.

The previous meeting discussed similar issues.

Deadline

The latest time by which something must be done.

The project has a strict deadline for submission.

Finishing Line

The end point in a race or competition.

She crossed the finishing line first in the marathon.

Milestones

Significant stages in a process or project.

Completing the report was one of the key milestones.

Questionnaire

A set of written questions for collecting information.

Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their experiences.

Nursery

A place for young children to be cared for.

She works as a teacher in a nursery.

Illustration of Taking Responsibility

Usage in IELTS Exam Formats

Reading Section

  • Words like legal framework, human rights abuse, and settlement may appear in texts discussing social and political issues.

Listening Section

  • Terms such as responsibility, conflict resolution, and representative are common in recordings about community or workplace initiatives.

Writing Section

  • Use phrases like freedom of expression, equal treatment, contribute, and on a large scale to discuss social responsibility topics.

    • Example: “Equal treatment and safeguarding human rights should be implemented on a large scale.”

Speaking Section

  • Employ terms like peer mentoring, welfare, complain to, and solution when discussing responsibility in personal or societal contexts.

    • Example: “Peer mentoring is a great way to foster responsibility and leadership among students.”

Common Mistakes

  1. Misusing "Entitled To" and "Eligible For":

    • Mistake: "He is eligible to freedom of speech."

    • Correction: "He is entitled to freedom of speech."

  2. Confusing "Safeguard" and "Ensure":

    • Mistake: "The government must ensure children’s rights."

    • Correction: "The government must safeguard children’s rights."

  3. Overusing "On Behalf Of":

    • Mistake: "She represented on behalf of the school."

    • Correction: "She represented the school."

  4. Mixing Up "Conflict" and "Resolution":

    • Mistake: "The resolution started in the office."

    • Correction: "The conflict started in the office, requiring immediate resolution."

  5. Using "Legal Framework" in Non-Legal Contexts:

    • Mistake: "The legal framework for cooking is clear."

    • Correction: "The legal framework for data protection is clear."

FAQ 

What does "freedom of expression" mean in IELTS essays?

It refers to the right to express one’s ideas without censorship, e.g., “Freedom of expression is crucial for a democratic society.”

How is "legal framework" relevant in IELTS Writing?

It’s useful for discussing laws or systems, e.g., “A strong legal framework ensures equal treatment for all citizens.”

What’s the difference between "violate" and "safeguard"?

"Violate" means to break a rule, while "safeguard" means to protect or enforce it.

How to use "conflict resolution" in Speaking?

Discuss it in workplace or community contexts, e.g., “Conflict resolution is vital for maintaining harmony in teams.”

Why is "peer mentoring" important in IELTS discussions?

It demonstrates collaboration and responsibility, e.g., “Peer mentoring helps students adapt to new environments quickly.”
Follow us
Free grammar and vocabulary exercises, ESL worksheets, lesson plans, tests and tools for students and teachers
@ 2025 PushtoLearn