Take Responsibility, Accept Blame
Explore useful verb–noun pairs for reporting workplace mistakes, accepting blame, and putting things right.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. 空欄を埋めてください。
As team leader, I will ___ responsibility for correcting the delivery error.
- make
- take
- do
The speaker is agreeing to own the task of fixing the problem.
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As team leader, I will take responsibility for correcting the delivery error.
“Take responsibility for” can describe accepting a duty to fix something, even when you did not cause the problem.
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2. 空欄を埋めてください。
Owen said, “I approved the wrong file. It was my fault.” In the incident summary, he ___ the blame for the error.
- rejected
- shifted
- accepted
Owen agrees that he caused the mistake.
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Owen said, “I approved the wrong file. It was my fault.” In the incident summary, he accepted the blame for the error.
“Accept blame” means agreeing that you are at fault, not merely offering to help with a solution.
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3. 正しい答えを選んでください。
How did the company respond to its customers?
After sending customers incorrect invoices, the company released a statement saying, “We are sorry for our mistake.”
- It issued an apology.
- It filed a complaint.
- It delivered a warning.
The statement expresses regret rather than dissatisfaction or a threat.
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- It issued an apology.
“Issue an apology” is commonly used when an organization formally or publicly says it is sorry.
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4. 空欄を埋めてください。
In her report, Priya ___ the error by stating plainly that she had entered the wrong date.
- concealed
- acknowledged
- denied
Her report openly recognizes what went wrong.
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In her report, Priya acknowledged the error by stating plainly that she had entered the wrong date.
“Acknowledge an error” means openly recognizing it. The phrase does not, by itself, promise a solution.
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5. 空欄を埋めてください。
Before the software launch, two employees ___ concerns about missing security checks, but no one acted on their warnings.
- placed
- laid
- raised
The employees brought a possible problem to management's attention.
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Before the software launch, two employees raised concerns about missing security checks, but no one acted on their warnings.
“Raise concerns” means bringing worries or possible problems to someone's attention, often before harm occurs.
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6. 正しい答えを選んでください。
What process did the team carry out?
The cause of the file loss was unclear, so the team interviewed staff and examined system records before reporting its findings.
- It imposed a penalty.
- It conducted an investigation.
- It negotiated a settlement.
The team gathered evidence to establish what happened.
Show solution
- It conducted an investigation.
“Conduct an investigation” describes an organized effort to discover facts. It does not assume that someone is guilty.
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7. 空欄を埋めてください。
The reviewer refused to ___ blame to any employee until the evidence showed who caused the error.
- assign
- accept
- bear
Here, blame would be directed toward another person.
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The reviewer refused to assign blame to any employee until the evidence showed who caused the error.
“Assign blame to someone” identifies that person as responsible. Notice the preposition “to,” rather than “for.”
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8. 正しい答えを選んでください。
How did the company respond to the manager's misconduct?
The manager received a formal warning for knowingly ignoring a safety rule. The warning was recorded in his personnel file.
- It offered compensation.
- It granted an exemption.
- It took disciplinary action.
The response was an official consequence for breaking a workplace rule.
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- It took disciplinary action.
“Take disciplinary action” can include a formal warning. It does not necessarily mean firing someone.
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9. 空欄を埋めてください。
The review found that the team leader had not caused the equipment failure, but her department still had to ___ the costs of repairing the damage.
- draw
- bear
- pose
The department must pay, even though its leader was not at fault.
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The review found that the team leader had not caused the equipment failure, but her department still had to bear the costs of repairing the damage.
“Bear the costs” means pay for something. The financial burden can fall on someone who did not cause the problem.
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10. 正しい答えを選んでください。
Which phrase describes Maya's effort to repair the harm?
After admitting that she had deleted a coworker's notes, Maya rebuilt them and completed the extra work her mistake had created.
- She made amends.
- She sought compensation.
- She shifted responsibility.
Maya does something helpful to make up for her mistake.
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- She made amends.
“Make amends” means trying to repair harm you caused. It usually involves more than simply saying sorry.
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11. 正しい答えを選んでください。
Which phrase captures the supplier's formal acknowledgment?
The supplier agreed in writing that it was legally responsible for the damaged equipment and promised to cover the repairs.
- It disputed liability.
- It shifted liability.
- It accepted liability.
The supplier recognizes a legal obligation, not just a reason to apologize.
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- It accepted liability.
“Accept liability” means acknowledging legal responsibility. It can involve an obligation to pay for damage.
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12. 正しい答えを選んでください。
Which summary reflects both the agreement and its limit?
The contractor and client agreed on a payment that ended their dispute. Their written agreement said neither side admitted fault.
- They established negligence and imposed a penalty.
- They reached a settlement without admitting fault.
- They accepted joint blame and issued an apology.
Resolving a dispute does not always establish who was responsible.
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- They reached a settlement without admitting fault.
“Reach a settlement” means agreeing on terms that resolve a dispute. A settlement can leave the question of fault undecided.