Nelson-Denny Practice Test

To "ascribe" something means to:

1. Attribute

2. Retreat

3. Ignore

4. Procrastinate

The correct answer is: Attribute

To "ascribe" something means to attribute it to a particular cause, source, or origin. This term is often used in various contexts, such as assigning a certain characteristic or quality to a person or event or identifying the source of an idea or work. For instance, in literature, one might ascribe a certain theme to an author's intent or style. This understanding aligns perfectly with the definition and usage of the term, which emphasizes the act of recognizing responsibility or association. The other choices—retreat, ignore, and procrastinate—do not capture the essence of ascription, as they refer to different actions that involve withdrawing, disregarding, or delaying, respectively. Hence, the selection of "attribute" accurately reflects the meaning of "ascribe."