“Be accountable for” is a crucial phrase that IELTS candidates should master to express responsibility and ownership in their writing and speaking tasks. This structure frequently appears in IELTS exams, particularly in Task 2 essays and Speaking Part 3 discussions about work, society, and personal responsibilities. Let’s explore how to use this phrase effectively to boost your IELTS score.
Accountability Concept
Understanding “Be Accountable for + Noun/Gerund”
The phrase “be accountable for” means to be responsible for something or to be required to explain actions or decisions. It’s commonly used in professional and academic contexts, making it particularly relevant for IELTS examinees aiming for higher band scores.
Grammatical Structure:
- Subject + be + accountable + for + noun
- Subject + be + accountable + for + gerund (-ing form)
Examples:
- Managers are accountable for the performance of their teams.
- Students are accountable for completing their assignments on time.
- The government is accountable for ensuring public safety.
- Employees are accountable for meeting deadlines and quality standards.
- Parents are accountable for their children’s behavior in public spaces.
In each example, the subject (managers, students, government, employees, parents) is responsible for the noun or gerund that follows “for.”
How to Use “Be Accountable for” in IELTS Writing
Incorporating this phrase into your IELTS Writing can demonstrate a sophisticated grasp of English and help you express complex ideas about responsibility and management.
Task 2 Essay Examples:
- Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility
“In today’s business world, companies are accountable for more than just their financial performance. They are increasingly being held accountable for their impact on society and the environment.”
- Topic: Education System
“While teachers play a crucial role in education, students must also be accountable for their own learning process. This shared responsibility ensures a more effective educational experience.”
- Topic: Government and Environment
“Governments should be accountable for implementing and enforcing environmental protection laws. However, citizens are also accountable for their individual actions that affect the environment.”
These examples show how “be accountable for” can be used to discuss various IELTS topics, demonstrating responsibility and cause-effect relationships.
Enhancing Your IELTS Speaking with “Be Accountable for”
Using this phrase in Speaking can help you express ideas about responsibility clearly and concisely, particularly in Part 3 where more abstract discussions occur.
Speaking Part 3 Example Answers:
Question: “Who do you think should be responsible for reducing pollution in cities?”
Answer: “I believe that multiple stakeholders should be accountable for reducing pollution in urban areas. The government should be accountable for setting and enforcing environmental regulations. Businesses should be accountable for ensuring their operations don’t harm the environment. And individuals should be accountable for their daily choices, such as using public transportation or reducing waste.”
This answer demonstrates a nuanced understanding of responsibility, using “be accountable for” to discuss different aspects of environmental protection.
Tips for Using “Be Accountable for” to Achieve Higher Band Scores
Vary your sentence structures: While “be accountable for” is useful, don’t overuse it. Combine it with other phrases like “take responsibility for” or “be in charge of” to show lexical resource.
Use it in complex sentences: For example, “Although the CEO is ultimately accountable for the company’s performance, each employee is accountable for contributing to its success through their individual roles.”
Pair it with specific examples: This demonstrates your ability to apply the concept practically. For instance, “Project managers are accountable for delivering projects on time and within budget, which includes tasks like resource allocation and risk management.”
Use it to discuss cause and effect: This can help in Task 2 essays when discussing solutions or consequences. For example, “If individuals were held more accountable for their carbon footprint, it might lead to more sustainable lifestyle choices.”
Apply it to various topics: Practice using the phrase across different IELTS themes like education, technology, environment, and social issues to enhance your versatility.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect preposition: Don’t say “accountable of” or “accountable to” when you mean “accountable for.”
Incorrect: “Managers are accountable of their team’s performance.”
Correct: “Managers are accountable for their team’s performance.”Confusing with “responsible to”: “Accountable for” focuses on being answerable for actions or results, while “responsible to” often indicates a reporting relationship.
Incorrect: “Employees are accountable to their supervisors for meeting deadlines.”
Correct: “Employees are accountable for meeting deadlines and are responsible to their supervisors.”Overuse: While it’s a useful phrase, overusing it can make your speech or writing repetitive.
Weak: “Students are accountable for their homework, accountable for their behavior, and accountable for their grades.”
Better: “Students are accountable for their academic performance, including completing homework and maintaining good behavior.”Using with intransitive verbs: “Be accountable for” should be followed by a noun or a gerund, not an intransitive verb.
Incorrect: “She is accountable for succeed in her role.”
Correct: “She is accountable for succeeding in her role.”Misusing in passive constructions: Be careful when using this phrase in passive voice.
Awkward: “The project’s success was been accountable for by the team.”
Better: “The team was accountable for the project’s success.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “be accountable for + noun/gerund” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to express ideas about responsibility and ownership clearly and professionally. Practice incorporating this phrase into your writing and speaking, ensuring you use it accurately and in context. Remember to balance it with other vocabulary and structures to demonstrate a wide range of language skills. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider how you can apply this phrase to various topics such as business ethics, environmental issues, education reform, and personal development to showcase your language proficiency and critical thinking skills.