To state something confidently and firmly, as if it were a fact.
“The author asserts that remote work increases overall employee productivity.”
“She asserts that stricter regulations would solve the pollution problem, though critics disagree.”
In Reading Part 4, authors often 'assert' a claim before providing evidence or facing counterarguments. Recognizing this word helps you quickly identify the main argument a passage is built around. Watch for it in topic sentences, since it usually signals the writer's core position rather than a neutral fact.
Synonyms: claim, maintain, declare