IELTS Band 8+ Vocabulary for Writing Task 2 – Topic: Crime & Punishment

Vocabulary is unquestionably important in IELTS Writing because it accounts up to 25% of your overall score. Therefore, you should place a strong focus on learning vocabulary to prepare better for the IELTS test. This post covers 3 parts:

1. Academic Words for IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: Crime & Punishment
2. Useful Collocations & Phrases for IELTS Writing – Topic: Crime & Punishment
3. IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic & Questions shared by IELTS test-takers from 2019 to 2021

TOPIC: CRIME & PUNISHMENT 

1. USEFUL ACADEMIC WORDS:

abide (verb): accept and follow out 
abolish (verb): to put an end to something, such as a rule, or custom
appreciate (verb): to recognize how good someone or something is and to be grateful for it
arson (noun): the illegal use of fire to destroy a house, building, or property
authority (noun): the police or people who has legal power to make people obey laws or rules
bully (verb): to hurt or frighten someone who is weaker or smaller than you
convict (verb): to decide officially in a law court that someone is guilty of a crime
criminal (noun): someone who commits a crime
combat (verb): to try to stop something bad, or harmful
deterrent (noun): a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something
deter (verb): to prevent or discourage someone from doing something
enforce (verb): to make people obey a rule or law
evil (adj): very unpleasant, morally bad, or cruel
fine (noun): amount of money that has to be paid as a punishment for not obeying a rule or law
fraud (noun): the crime of obtaining money from someone by tricking them
imprisonment (noun): the situation of being in prison
inequality (noun): a lack of equality or fair treatment in the sharing of wealth or opportunities
intent (noun): the intention to do something
intrusion (noun): something that interrupts a private event or a peaceful situation
kidnap (noun): to take someone somewhere illegally by force, often in order to get money for returning them; ransom
motive (noun): a reason for doing something
pickpocketing (noun): the crime of stealing things out of people’s pockets or bags
prosecutor (noun): a lawyer who proves in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty
recklessness (noun): not thinking about the possible bad effects of your actions
smuggling (noun): the crime of taking people or goods into or out of a country illegally
the accused (noun): the person who is on trial in a law court
vandalism (noun): the act of intentionally damaging things belonging to other people, especially public property
violation (noun): an action that breaks a law, agreement, rule, etc.
harsh (adj): unkind, unpleasant, cruel, or more severe than is necessary
intentional (adj): deliberate, intended or planned; done on purpose
law-abiding (adj): a law-abiding person is who obeys the law
offensive (adj): very rude or insulting and likely to upset people
petty (adj): not important and not worth giving attention to
punishable (adj): being punishable because someone does something illegal
imprison (verb): to put someone in prison
offend (verb): to make someone upset or angry
perpetrate (verb): to do something that is illegal, harmful or dishonest
resent (verb): be angry at something or someone because you have been hurt or treated unfairly

2. USEFUL COLLOCATIONS & PHRASES:

minor crime = lesser crime = petty crime
major crime = serious crime
break the law
engage in criminal activity
impose stricter punishments on… = impose heavier sentences on…
carry out unlawful act
receive capital punishment = receive the death penalty = receive a death sentence = face execution
commit an offense
receive prison sentences = be sent to prison = be put in prison
face life imprisonment = serve a life sentence
reoffend = commit crimes again = continue to commit crime after being punished
go to jail = be put in jail/ prison = to be imprisoned
prevent somebody from… = deter somebody from…
pose a serious threat to society = threaten the safety of society = put society in danger
juvenile crimes = juvenile delinquency = juvenile offending = youth crimes = crimes among young adults
crime rates = crime levels
urgent problem = pressing problem = grave problem
be given the chance to… = be given the opportunity to…
the increased use of drugs and alcohol = alcohol and drug abuse
the major/primary/principal cause of… = the major/primary/principal reason for…
turn to illegal acts to generate income = commit crimes to earn money
raise awareness of crime prevention = promote crime prevention programs

 

3. Writing Task 2 Questions in 2021 – Topic: Crime & Punishment

Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

In many countries the age of criminals is getting lower. Give reasons and solutions to the problem. Support your position with relevant examples.

Crime is a problem all over the world and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. Agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Nowadays you can find instructional videos for just about any crime you can think of. What possible effects can this have on individuals and society? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

The government should control the amount of violence in films and televisions in order to decrease the violent crimes in the society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In most countries military officers retire at the age of 45 while other people work as long as 65 to 70. Compare these two approaches. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Some people think that the media should not report details of crimes to the public. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In some countries prisons are overcrowded which leads to many expenses for the government. To lessen the cost for prisoners’ cost of living, reduced sentences are implemented. What do you suggest could be done? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people are afraid to go out for fear of being robbed on the streets. Still, there are robberies that happen inside houses. What do you think is the best thing a person can do to ensure his/her own security? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

In many countries the level of crime is increasing and crimes are becoming more violent. Why do you think this is and what can be done about it?

Some people believe that once a person becomes a criminal, he will always be a criminal. Do you agree with this statement? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some countries are struggling with increases in crime rates. Some believe that having more police on the streets is best way to reduce and combat crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In some countries prisoners are allowed comfortable accommodation, good food, and healthcare. Do you think this is appropriate? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your position.