Crime and security are common themes in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, often focusing on how societies address criminal behavior 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.Find useful IELTS vocabulary for Crime and Security here.
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Task
Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?
How to approach the essay:*Identify the type*: This is a **”cause + solution”** question — explain why it happens and suggest how to fix it.
| Causes of Recidivism | Proposed Solutions |
|---|
• Offenders often deny the seriousness of their crimes, leading to resentment and repeat offenses
• Difficulty finding employment after release leads to hopelessness and reoffending
• Example: Repeat offenses by sex offenders show prison alone is not a deterrent | • Implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs to promote positive change
• Introduce government-backed policies encouraging businesses to hire ex-convicts
• Support reintegration to reduce the risk of returning to crime |
*Stay focused*: Make sure your ideas directly respond to **”why it happens”** and **”what can be done”**, with relevant examples.
Model Answer
These days, it is increasingly common for offenders to re-offend after serving their initial sentences. Several factors contribute to this troubling phenomenon, and appropriate measures must taken to address the issue effectively.
Two main reasons explain the recidivism of criminals. Firstly, many offenders do not fully recognize the seriousness of their past transgressions. This denial often leads to feelings of resentment towards society, pushing them to seek revenge by re-engaging in criminal activities. In this sense, imprisonment acts more as a physical barrier than a meaningful deterrent. For instance, sex offenders frequently reoffend, committing acts of sexual abuse against women even after multiple incarcerations. Secondly, many former offenders feel hopeless about their future, which can lead them down a path of moral and emotional despair. The reality is that former convicts encounter significant obstacles in securing employment due to societal discrimination. When faced with the challenges of sustaining their livelihoods, some may turn back to crime as a last resort.
To address these concerns, two key strategies should be put in place. Firstly, it is essential for the government to provide thorough rehabilitation programs for offenders. These would help them reflect on their actions and develop a more positive attitude towards lawful living. Furthermore, the government should implement proactive recruitment policies that encourage employers to hire ex-convicts. By affording them opportunities to reintegrate into society, these individuals may be less inclined to jeopardize their newfound freedom.
In conclusion, the recurrence of criminal behavior presents significant social challenges. Therefore, it is the government’s duty to respond by ensuring rehabilitation services and creating increased employment opportunities for former offenders.
Essay Question: Many offenders commit more crimes after serving their first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?
Introduction
• Clarity: Yes, the topic is introduced clearly, outlining the issue of repeat offending.
• Thesis: Expresses the writer’s stance and outlines the essay’s purpose (explaining causes and suggesting solutions).
Body Paragraphs
Main Ideas (Causes & Solutions):
Causes:
• Offenders don’t fully grasp the seriousness of their crimes ? emotional detachment and resentment.
• Lack of future prospects ? job discrimination and social exclusion push them back into crime.
Solutions:
• Introduce structured rehabilitation programs to reshape attitudes.
• Encourage hiring ex-offenders through supportive government policies.
Coherence:
• Both causes and solutions are clearly presented in separate paragraphs.
• Logical progression with smooth transitions between ideas and examples.
Conclusion
• Summary: Reiterates the seriousness of reoffending and emphasizes government responsibility.
• Reflection of Opinion: Writer calls for proactive, long-term government solutions (rehab and jobs).
Vocabulary & Grammar
High-Level Vocabulary:
• Recidivism – the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
• Transgressions – violations of rules or moral codes.
• Resentment – bitterness or anger due to perceived unfairness.
• Rehabilitation – restoring someone to normal life through training or therapy.
• Societal discrimination – unfair treatment by the broader community.
Academic Phrases:
• “It is essential that…”
• “To address these concerns…”
• “These would help them reflect on…”
Complex Sentences:
• “This denial often leads to feelings of resentment towards society, pushing them to seek revenge by re-engaging in criminal activities.”
• “By affording them opportunities to reintegrate into society, these individuals may be less inclined to jeopardize their newfound freedom.”
TaskIn many developing countries, there is increasing movement of workers from rural areas into the cities. What do you think it happens? What problems can this cause?
How to Approach This Essay:Step 1: Identify the two-part question: Why is rural-to-urban migration happening? What problems does it cause?
| Causes of Rural Decline | Consequences of Rural Decline |
|---|
• Lack of employment in rural areas due to factory closures
• Inability of rural companies to offer competitive wages
• Workers migrate to cities for better quality of life | • Abandonment of villages and population decline in small towns
• Shortages of essential professionals (e.g., doctors, teachers)
• Schools and hospitals struggle to function without adequate staff |
- Step 4: Keep your ideas balanced, support them with examples, and restate the main points in the conclusion with a clear opinion.
Model AnswerThere is no doubt that the decline of small towns and villages is a significant issue, particularly in developing countries where rural areas often lack investment and support. While some individuals focus on the causes of this trend and suggest possible solutions to reverse it, others examine its broader social consequences, which may affect entire generations.
In modern society, it has become increasingly common for people to leave their hometowns and move to regions within their country that offer better job prospects. For instance, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many citizens in my country, particularly those residing in small cities, were unable to secure employment as numerous factories and industrial enterprises were shuttered. To date, many workers continue to express dissatisfaction regarding the disparity in salaries between rural areas and large cities. The vast majority of companies in provincial regions are unable to provide competitive wages for laborers. As a result, motivated workers feel compelled to relocate in search of a better quality of life.
Some researchers have studied the problematic impact of this internal migration on different regions. According to various studies, this phenomenon can lead to the complete abandonment of villages and a significant decline in the population of small towns. Governments encounter challenges in retaining specialists, such as doctors and teachers. As a result, the shortage of these professionals adversely affects the functioning of schools and hospitals, rendering them unable to operate effectively without adequate staffing.
In conclusion, the causes and consequences of rural-to-urban migration have been clearly outlined, including the economic and social implications for both individuals and communities. In my view, these challenges require urgent government intervention through long-term development policies; otherwise, future generations will face even greater difficulties in resolving them and maintaining balanced national growth.
Essay Question: In many developing countries, there is increasing movement of workers from rural areas into the cities. Why is this happening? What problems can this cause?
Introduction
• Clarity: Yes, the topic is introduced clearly, highlighting rural decline and urban migration.
• Thesis: Clearly sets up both aspects of the task—causes and consequences.
Body Paragraphs
Main Ideas (Causes & Problems):
Causes (Body 1):
• Better job prospects in cities.
• Industrial closures post-Soviet collapse.
• Ongoing wage disparity between rural and urban areas.
• Lack of investment in provincial companies.
Problems (Body 2):
• Village depopulation and town shrinkage.
• Shortage of essential professionals (e.g., doctors, teachers).
• Public services like schools and hospitals unable to function properly.
Coherence:
• Well-structured, one paragraph for causes, one for problems.
• Logical flow with smooth transitions and clear topic sentences.
Conclusion
• Summary: Effectively restates the essay’s focus—explaining causes and consequences.
• Reflection of Opinion: Strong personal stance urging urgent government action to prevent future difficulties.
Vocabulary & Grammar
High-Level Vocabulary:
• Decline – reduction or deterioration.
• Disparity – a significant difference, especially in wages.
• Abandonment – the act of leaving something behind permanently.
• Implications – possible consequences or effects.
• Provincial – relating to non-urban or rural areas.
Academic Phrases:
• “There is no doubt that…”
• “According to various studies…”
• “In my view…”
Complex Sentences:
• “For instance, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many citizens in my country, particularly those residing in small cities, were unable to secure employment as numerous factories and industrial enterprises were shuttered.”
• “In my view, these challenges require urgent government intervention through long-term development policies; otherwise, future generations will face even greater difficulties in resolving them…”
