Crime and Security in IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes and solution Essay Samples

IELTS Causes & Effect Essay Crime and Security

Crime and security are common themes in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, often focusing on how societies address criminal behaviour and maintain public safety. Essay questions may cover topics such as prison vs. rehabilitation, youth crime, cybercrime, the role of education in crime prevention, or surveillance technology. These topics test your ability to present balanced arguments and suggest effective solutions.

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Essay Topics

Topic 1: Why is youth crime increasing, and how can it be reduced?
Topic 2: What causes rising crime, and how can it be prevented?

Task 1

Crime appears to be rising in most countries in the world, especially among young people. Identify the possible causes of this trend, and propose some solution you think would be effective.

How to approach the essay:

How to approach the essay:

Approach: This is a “cause and solution” essay. Start by clearly identifying the problem: the rise in youth crime. Break the question into two parts—What causes this trend? and What can be done about it?
Structure:

Causes of Rising Youth Crime	Proposed Solutions
• Lack of parental supervision leads to escalation from minor to serious offenses • Absence of goals or challenges causes aimlessness and antisocial behavior	• Parents should take a proactive role during children’s formative years • Local governments should provide structured after-school programs (e.g., South Korea’s youth centers) • Engaging youth in sports, arts, and academics can reduce delinquency rates

Model Answer

In recent years, crime rates have notably risen across many countries, especially among the youth. This troubling trend represents a significant concern for society as a whole. The causes can be traced to three main factors, and there are several practical solutions that can be implemented to address them.

The primary factor is the lack of parental supervision, which is crucial for regulating young people’s behaviour. For instance, when children are left unsupervised, they are more likely to engage in minor offenses such as littering, vandalism, and disturbing the peace, which can later lead to more serious crimes like theft or robbery. Another contributing factor is the absence of challenges in young people’s lives, leaving them with no specific goals to work towards. This lack of direction can negatively influence their attitude towards society, leading them to commit crimes that further destabilize their communities.

As for potential solutions, the most effective approach is to ensure that children are under the vigilant supervision of their parents. If parents were to take proactive measures during their children’s formative years, it would likely have a profound impact on their behavior, as younger children are generally more receptive to parental guidance. Additionally, local governments should take swift action to engage young people in meaningful activities. For example, in South Korea, community centers often host after-school programs focused on sports, arts, and academic support, which have been shown to significantly reduce juvenile delinquency rates in participating districts.

In conclusion, it is evident that the rise in youth crime can be attributed to a lack of parental involvement and the absence of personal challenges. However, viable solutions exist that involve both parental engagement and proactive measures from local authorities. By addressing these issues collaboratively, we can work towards mitigating this troubling trend.

Commentary

Essay Question: Crime appears to be rising in most countries in the world, especially among young people. Identify the possible causes of this trend, and propose some solutions you think would be effective.

Introduction

- Clarity: Yes, the introduction clearly outlines the topic of rising youth crime and sets the tone for the essay.
- Thesis: The thesis identifies that there are multiple causes and that solutions will be explored. Although the writer does not explicitly state their stance, the balanced approach is appropriate for a cause-solution essay.

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Body Paragraphs

Main Ideas (Causes & Solutions):

Causes:

- - Lack of parental supervision
  - Absence of life challenges or goals

Solutions:

- - Increased parental involvement
  - Government-led youth programs and structured activities

Coherence:

- - The essay is logically organized, with one paragraph devoted to causes and another to solutions.
  - Transitions are smooth, with clear topic sentences guiding the reader through the discussion.

Conclusion

Summary:

- - The conclusion effectively restates the main causes and proposed solutions.
  - It reflects the writer’s viewpoint that collaborative efforts can mitigate youth crime, tying the essay together well.

Vocabulary & Grammar

High-Level Vocabulary (with meanings):

- - Notably – significantly or noticeably
  - Destabilize – to make something unstable or less secure
  - Proactive – taking action in advance to deal with potential issues
  - Delinquency – minor crime, especially committed by young people
  - Vigilant – watchful and alert to danger or trouble

Academic Phrases:

- - “This troubling trend represents a significant concern for society as a whole.”
  - “This lack of direction can negatively influence their attitude towards society…”
  - “Viable solutions exist that involve both parental engagement and proactive measures…”

Complex Sentences:

- “If parents were to take proactive measures during their children’s formative years, it would likely have a profound impact on their behavior…”
- “For example, in South Korea, community centers often host after-school programs focused on sports, arts, and academic support, which have been shown to significantly reduce juvenile delinquency rates in participating districts.”

Task 2Each year, the crime rate increases. What are the causes of crime and what could be done to prevent this rise in criminal activity? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

How to approach the essay:

How to approach the essay:
Introduction:

Briefly mention the rise in crime rates.
State that the essay will discuss the causes and solutions.

Causes of Rising Crime	Proposed Solutions
• Poverty and both parents working lead to lack of supervision and juvenile delinquency • Technological advancement increases cybercrime (e.g., identity theft, credit card fraud by teenagers) • Youth are drawn to online crimes due to anonymity and low perceived risk	• Government should offer financial aid and vocational training for low-income families • Parents should maintain open communication with children • Schools should provide education on cybercrime and its consequences

Conclusion:

Summarize the key causes and solutions.
Reinforce the need for coordinated efforts to prevent crime.

Model Answer

It is undeniable that society has witnessed a troubling rise in crime rates, which has raised significant public concern. Key factors include poverty, lack of parental supervision, and the growing impact of technology, which has led to increased cybercrime and online bullying. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts from families, governments, and educational institutions.

Two main causes lie at the root of this problem: poverty and the advancement of technology. Firstly, in many households, both parents are compelled to work full-time due to rising living expenses, leaving children unsupervised for long periods. As a result, this lack of guidance often leads to an increase in juvenile delinquency, as young individuals are more susceptible to negative influences and exploitation. Secondly, the proliferation of the Internet has facilitated a surge in cybercrime. As society becomes increasingly reliant on digital technology, a growing number of hackers are willing to take risks to steal personal data for financial gain. A report by Europol revealed a significant increase in cases of identity theft and credit card fraud committed by teenagers, many of whom were lured by the anonymity and perceived low risk of online crime.

To address this issue, concerted efforts from the government, families, and educational institutions are essential. For instance, the government should implement financial assistance programs for low-income families, while also providing education and vocational training to improve their quality of life over time. At the same time, parents should focus on maintaining open communication with their children to help them grow into responsible members of society. Lastly, widespread education regarding cybercrime is crucial, as many people unintentionally break the law due to not understanding the consequences.

In conclusion, it is clear that a combination of economic hardship and digital exposure contributes to the rise in crime and effective steps must be taken to counter this growing problem.

Essay Question:

Each year, the crime rate increases. What are the causes of crime and what could be done to prevent this rise in criminal activity? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Introduction

Clarity: The topic is introduced clearly with a focus on rising crime rates and societal concern.
Thesis: The writer provides a stance by highlighting key causes of crime (poverty, lack of supervision, and technology) and indicates that solutions require coordinated efforts.

Body Paragraphs

Main Ideas (Causes):

Poverty: The financial strain causes parents to work full-time, leading to unsupervised children and potential for juvenile delinquency.
Technology: The rise of the internet facilitates cybercrime, with hackers targeting personal data and teenagers engaging in online crimes due to anonymity.

Coherence:

Both causes (poverty and technology) are presented clearly, with a logical progression from one to the next.
The transition between paragraphs is smooth and well-organized.

Conclusion

Summary: The conclusion effectively restates the causes (economic hardship, digital exposure) and emphasizes the need for effective steps to address the issue.

Reflection of Opinion: The writer calls for action to prevent the growing crime rate.

Vocabulary & Grammar

High-Level Vocabulary:

Proliferation (rapid increase, especially of undesirable things like cybercrime)
Juvenile delinquency (minor crime committed by young people)
Anonymity (the state of being anonymous, which increases risk of online crime)
Exploitation (taking advantage of someone for personal gain)

Academic Phrases:

“Concerted efforts” (working together in a coordinated way)
“Two main causes lie at the root of this problem”

Complex Sentences:

“As society becomes increasingly reliant on digital technology, a growing number of hackers are willing to take risks to steal personal data for financial gain.”
“A report by Europol revealed a significant increase in cases of identity theft and credit card fraud committed by teenagers, many of whom were lured by the anonymity and perceived low risk of online crime.”