The topic of capital punishment for serious crimes and alternatives is a common and controversial subject in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exams and current trends, this theme has a high probability of appearing in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that capital punishment should never be used. Others, however, argue that it should be allowed for the most serious crimes. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments against capital punishment
- Discuss arguments in favor of capital punishment for serious crimes
- Provide their own opinion on the issue
The essay should have a balanced structure, addressing both viewpoints before concluding with a personal stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The debate over capital punishment has long been a contentious issue in criminal justice systems worldwide. While some argue for its complete abolition, others contend that it serves as an effective deterrent for the most heinous crimes. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Those who oppose capital punishment often cite moral and ethical concerns. They argue that the state should not have the power to take a human life, regardless of the crime committed. Moreover, there is always the risk of executing an innocent person due to judicial errors, which is an irreversible mistake. Opponents also point out that capital punishment does not effectively deter crime, as evidenced by countries that have abolished it without experiencing an increase in serious offenses.
On the other hand, proponents of capital punishment argue that it serves as the ultimate deterrent for the most serious crimes, such as premeditated murder or acts of terrorism. They contend that the fear of death may prevent potential criminals from committing such atrocities. Additionally, supporters believe that capital punishment provides closure and justice for victims’ families, arguing that some crimes are so heinous that only the ultimate penalty can adequately address them.
In my opinion, while I understand the arguments for capital punishment, I believe that it should not be used in modern justice systems. The risk of executing an innocent person, no matter how small, is too great a moral burden for society to bear. Furthermore, life imprisonment without parole can serve as an equally effective deterrent and punishment for serious crimes, without the finality and ethical concerns of execution. Instead, resources should be directed towards crime prevention, rehabilitation, and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.
In conclusion, while the debate over capital punishment continues, I believe that alternative forms of punishment and a focus on prevention and rehabilitation are more appropriate for a just and humane society. The complexities of human behavior and the potential for judicial errors make capital punishment too risky and morally questionable in today’s world.
Capital punishment debate in justice system
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Capital punishment is a topic that many people have strong opinions about. Some think it should never be used, while others believe it’s necessary for very serious crimes. This essay will look at both sides and give my opinion.
People who are against capital punishment say it’s wrong for the government to kill people, even if they’ve done bad things. They worry that sometimes innocent people might be executed by mistake, which can’t be fixed. Also, they say that the death penalty doesn’t stop people from committing crimes any better than other punishments.
On the other hand, people who support capital punishment think it’s needed for the worst crimes like murder. They believe it might stop some people from committing these crimes because they’re afraid of being executed. Some also think it helps the families of victims feel better, knowing the criminal has been punished in the strongest way.
In my view, I don’t think capital punishment should be used. Even though some crimes are very terrible, I believe it’s better to put criminals in prison for life instead of executing them. This way, we don’t risk killing innocent people by mistake. Also, I think we should focus more on stopping crimes from happening in the first place and trying to help criminals become better people.
To conclude, while there are arguments for and against capital punishment, I believe it’s better to find other ways to deal with serious crimes that don’t involve executing people. We should work on preventing crime and improving our justice system instead.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Capital punishment is when the government kills criminals for very bad crimes. Some people think this is never okay, but others say it should be used for the worst crimes. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who don’t like capital punishment say it’s wrong to kill anyone, even bad people. They worry that sometimes innocent people might be killed by mistake. They also think that it doesn’t stop crime better than other punishments.
But other people think capital punishment is good for very bad crimes like murder. They say it might stop some people from doing these crimes because they’re scared of being killed. They also think it helps the families of victims feel better.
I think capital punishment is not a good idea. Even though some crimes are very bad, I think it’s better to put criminals in jail for a long time instead of killing them. This way, we don’t kill innocent people by accident. I think we should try to stop crimes from happening and help criminals become better people.
In conclusion, there are different ideas about capital punishment, but I think we shouldn’t use it. We should find other ways to deal with serious crimes and make our justice system better.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control
- Uses a wide range of complex sentence structures
- Has excellent paragraph organization and cohesion
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, though the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some errors in word choice
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures
- Has generally good paragraph organization, though there may be some lapses in cohesion
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas
- Expresses a position but it may not be clear throughout the essay
- Uses limited vocabulary with noticeable errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Relies mainly on simple sentences with limited use of complex structures
- Shows some attempt at paragraphing but lacks overall coherence
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Capital punishment (noun) – /ˈkæpɪtl ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ – the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime
- Deterrent (noun) – /dɪˈterənt/ – something that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something
- Heinous (adjective) – /ˈheɪnəs/ – (of a crime or wrongdoing) utterly odious or wicked
- Irreversible (adjective) – /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/ – not able to be undone or altered
- Atrocity (noun) – /əˈtrɒsəti/ – an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically involving physical violence or injury
- Premeditated (adjective) – /priːˈmedɪteɪtɪd/ – planned or plotted in advance
- Rehabilitation (noun) – /ˌriːəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃn/ – the action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy
- Judicial (adjective) – /dʒuːˈdɪʃl/ – relating to the administration of justice or to the judgment of a court of law
- Closure (noun) – /ˈkloʊʒər/ – a feeling of finality or resolution, especially after a traumatic experience
- Abolition (noun) – /ˌæbəˈlɪʃn/ – the action of abolishing a system, practice, or institution
Capital punishment alternatives and rehabilitation
In conclusion, the topic of capital punishment and its alternatives remains a crucial and challenging subject in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare for potential questions on this theme, consider practicing with variations such as:
- Discussing the effectiveness of life imprisonment as an alternative to capital punishment
- Examining the role of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system
- Analyzing the impact of capital punishment on crime rates in different countries
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will significantly improve your IELTS writing skills and prepare you for success in the exam.
