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Crime & Punishment Essay Titles

IELTS Essay Questions for the Topic of Crime & Punishment. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and seem to have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the years the questions were reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below. This topic is more likely to appear in the Academic test than the GT writing test. However, all candidates should prepare for all topics to be safe.

Crime & Punishment Essay Questions for IELTS Writing Task 2

The crime rate nowadays is decreasing compared to the past due to advance technology which can prevent and solve crime. Do you agree or disagree? (Reported 2017, 2021 Academic Test)
Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What possible solutions can you suggest? (Reported 2015, 2017, 2022 Academic Test)
It is often thought that the increase in juvenile crime can be attributed to violence in the media. Do you agree that this is the main cause of juvenile crime? What solutions can you offer to deal with this situation? (common question)
In some societies, the number of crimes committed by teenagers is growing. Some people think that regardless of age, teenagers who commit major crimes should receive adult punishment. To what extent do you agree? (2020, 2023)
Some countries are struggling with an increase in the rate of crime. Many people think that having more police on the streets is the only way to reduce crime. To what extent do you agree? (2018, 2020)
Some people think that women should not be allowed to work in the police force. Do you agree or disagree?
Many crimes are often related to the consumption of alcohol. Some people think that the best way to reduce the crime rate is to ban alcohol. Do you think this is an effective measure against crime? What other solutions can you suggest?
Some people think certain prisoners should be made to do unpaid community work instead of being put behind bars. To what extent do you agree? (Reported 2017, 2020, GT Test)
Many people believe that having a fixed punishment for all crimes is more efficient. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a fixed punishment? (common question)
Some people think that the government should be responsible for crime prevention, while others believe that it is the responsibility of the individual to protect themselves. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
The death penalty is the best way to control and reduce serious crime. To what extent do you agree? (2018, 2020)
While it is sometimes thought that prison is the best place for criminals, others believe that there are better ways to deal with them. What is your opinion? (common question – this is often reworded with a focus on the best ways to deal with criminals)
Crime rate, in most countries, is often higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Why do you think that is? What can be done to reduce the crime rate?
Some people think that poverty is the reason behind most crimes. Do you agree or disagree?
Internet crime is increasing rapidly as more and more people are using the internet to make financial transactions. What can be done to tackle this problem ?
Some people think that the parents of children who commit crime should also receive a punishment. Do you agree or disagree? (2020)

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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IELTS Essays About Crime

Jump to: Opinion Essays , Discussion Essays , Discussion and Opinion Essays , or Situation Essays

Opinion Essays

The death penalty should be available as a punishment for serious crimes.

To what extent do you agree?

Certain groups of society believe that the most efficient way of lowering crime rates is to be able to implement the death penalty for crimes which are the most serious. Others believe that this is not the case and makes no difference. Personally, I am completely against the use of the death penalty and this essay shall explore some of the reasons for this view point.

Firstly, a major drawback of the death penalty is that it is irreversible and could be handed out incorrectly. Although forensic scientists are becoming more and more advanced there is still a chance that mistakes are made and innocent people are executed. A classic case of this was Colin Ross, who in 1922 was executed but later evidence proved that he was actually innocent and in fact he was later pardoned in 2008.

In addition to the above arguments is the fact that some people are of the opinion that the death penalty has no place in a civilized society. To kill another human being for whatever reason should be considered a very low immoral act which demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the precious gift of life which we have all been given. Furthermore, most major religions of the world express the need for forgiveness. Executing inmates on death row is as far from this particular teaching as you could get.

Overall, it can be said that innocent people can be executed wrongfully and that a truly developed society should be able to find a more productive way of dealing with serious criminals. I therefore remain firmly of the stand point that the death penalty is totally unethical and ineffective

Internet crime is increasing rapidly as growing numbers of people purchase goods over the internet. What can be done to tackle this problem?

Following a significant increase in the number of financial transactions taking place online in recent years, internet crime levels have also increased dramatically. I believe this is due to the fact that people often think that they are safe when they are sat behind a computer and that they cannot be caught easily. This essay shall explore some ways of reducing these types of crimes.

One of the most effective ways of reducing online crime levels might be to make every internet user log-in with their passport number or national identification card number. Most countries assign at least one of these numbers to each citizen so this would make it very easy to track down who had done what crime and when. If potential criminals were made to identify themselves online in this manner when they first log on then it may cause them to think twice about conducting illegal activities.

Another method which may also aid online crime reduction would be to regulate the websites that the general public was allowed to access. This would mean that rather than the public being able to visit any type of websites they want to, they would only be allowed to access websites which were secure and not linked in any way to criminal activity. For example, certain web-sites such as Alphabaymarket.com sell fire-arms and drugs and are infamous for being places where illegal activities and transactions take place. Eliminating access to them could therefore aid in crime level reduction.

Overall, making people identify themselves online and restricting access to certain web-sites could help in online crime reduction. Personally, I feel the government need to take responsibility for implementing some or all of the above ideas.

Some people believe that poverty is the cause of most crimes.

Do you agree or disagree?

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ielts essays on crime

While some people believe prison is the best place for criminals others think that there are better ways to handle them.

What is your opinion?

Violence in society increases when more violence is shown on television.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In some communities the teenage crime rate is growing. Some people believe that regardless of age, teenagers who commit major crimes should receive punishment that is the same as an adults.

Some people believe certain prisoners should be forced to do community work with no pay rather than being simply kept inside a prison cell.

The crime rate nowadays is lower than in the past because of the increased use of advanced technology which can prevent and solve crimes.

Some countries are experiencing an increase in the rates of crime. Many people believe that getting more police walking the streets is the best way to prevent crime from occurring.

Discussion Essays

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Many people think that having one single fixed punishment for all crimes would be more effective.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a fixed punishment?

Discussion and Opinion Essays

Some people think that giving harsher prison sentences and punishments is the best way to reduce crime rates, others however believe there are alternative methods that need to be explored.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to hand out longer prison sentences, whilst other people think that there are better methods of doing reducing crime.

Discuss both views and give your opinion .

Some people think that the government should be responsible for reducing crime, where as others believe individuals should take responsibility for their own safety and security.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Many criminals after being released go on to commit further crimes as soon as they are allowed out of prison.

What do you think are the causes of this and what possible solutions can you suggest?

Situation Essays

In some poorer areas of large cities people are too afraid to leave their houses at night time due to a fear of crime.

What are the causes of crime in those areas and what can be done to tackle those problems?

In many large cities around the world youth crime is growing at a fast rate.

What are the reasons for this and suggest some solutions.

Crime rates in most countries are often higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

What do you think are the reasons for this and what can be done to lower the crime rates?

It is thought that the increase in youth crime rates can be linked to an increase in violence shown in the media.

Do you agree that this is the main factor causing juvenile crime and what ideas can you offer to deal with the situation?

Many crimes are often linked to the consumption of alcohol. Some people think that banning alcohol sales would dramatically reduce crime.

Do you think it is an effective measure against crime and what other solutions can you suggest?

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)

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IELTS Writing Task 1 (General)

Discover how to write in the correct format and tone for this part of the test.

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ielts essays on crime

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Crime and punishment IELTS model essay with vocabulary

Our band nine sample essays give you the opportunity to learn from successful essays that show off the best structure, vocabulary and grammar. This IELTS essay on crime and punishment explores the advantages and disadvantages of harsh punishment for criminals.

band Nine Sample Essay

In some countries, crimes are punished harshly. what are some advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

Several nations have opted to implement a system of strict penalties, such as long jail sentences and execution, for crimes. In this essay, I will explore the advantage that this is a good deterrent with the disadvantage that this harms rehabilitation .

Punitive measures can help deter future crime. If people can see that crimes will be punished harshly, they are far less likely to want to commit a crime . Because people consider risk versus reward before acting, making crime as risky as possible by increasing punishment can stop criminals. Conversely, when countries have light punishments for crimes like shoplifting , people in those countries might feel like it is worth the risk to do these crimes.

However, these strong punishments also increase recidivism by failing to rehabilitate people. One of the main purposes of sending people to prison is to prevent them from committing crimes when they leave; however, making prisons and other punishments too strict works against this purpose. When criminals have a heavily punitive experience, they lose self-confidence and become distrustful of authority , meaning they are more likely to be involved in crime when they leave prison. Alternatively, if prisoners have access to training and support, such as drug rehabilitation programs and anger management classes, they are far more likely to rejoin society in a productive way. 

In conclusion, the correct punishment for crimes is a complex issue. On the one hand, strong measures deter crime; on the other hand, the same measures make it more likely for prisoners to reoffend .

crime and punishment vocabulary

Although crime and punishment is a common topic in the IELTS exam, there, thankfully, is not too much vocabulary you need to know for it. Let’s take a look at some of the high level vocabulary in this answer to kick start your learning.

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ielts essays on crime

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment

Janice Thompson

Updated On Jan 12, 2024

ielts essays on crime

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment

IELTS Writing Prediction Questions for 2024

In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic. Given below is a cause and solution essay with sample answers that will help you to practise and get a good score.

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

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Do you have an essay on this topic? Please post it in the comments section. One of our IELTS trainers will evaluate your essay from an examiner’s point of view and reply to the comment. This service is completely FREE of cost.

Cause/ Solution Essay 

Introduction

Introduce the essay topic and paraphrase it by giving a proper preface. Then, state the essay’s intent in two subsequent paragraphs, i.e., the causes and solutions for the essay topic. 

Paragraph 1: A large proportion of criminals leave prison only to reoffend, owing to a lack of rehabilitation and reskilling opportunities in prison

Paragraph 2: These criminals can take effective measures to keep engaged in activities that will help them acquire new skills.  

Conclusion 

State the solution 

Sample Essay

Most criminals tend to commit crimes again, once they are released from jail. This is mainly because of the lack of rehabilitation in prisons and also the difficulty they face in finding employment. There are a lot of solutions to overcome this situation. In this essay, we will explain why the criminals commit the same crime again and the reasons to overcome this.

The main reason for the repetition of crimes is the lack of reskilling options in jails. Since they are unable to find the right employment, they resort to unfair means to earn their daily bread. Another reason is that there aren’t strict laws to keep them under control.

  Some effective measures are imposing strict punishments and improving their skills like craft making, fashion designing, catering and so on. They will be engaged in work once they are out of prison and become self-sustained.

To sum up, the government must closely monitor the criminals even after they are out of prison and ensure that there is a reduction in crime rate so that we can make the world a better place to live in. 

Band 9 Sample Essay

Several criminals are likely to commit other offences after serving their initial term, owing to their incapacity to maintain economic stability and difficulty finding suitable employment. However, there are several options for dealing with this scenario, such as providing financial assistance and instilling the necessary skills. This essay will look at why criminals commit the same crimes over and over again and how to avoid them.

To begin with, most first-time convicts commit crimes after serving their first sentence due to the lack of employment options and opportunities to retrain and master new skills to make a living. Moreover, since society does not accept the convicts as respectable people anymore, they join hands with their criminal friends and perpetuate the same crimes, such as pickpocketing or robbing, to make ends meet and avail basic necessities. As a result, the financial hardships of the perpetrators prompt them to recommit the crimes regardless of the repercussions.

There are some viable measures to rehabiliate habitual criminals. The government can provide financial assistance to them after they complete their sentence as this will help them stabilize their economic status and make a living for themselves. The government can also ensure that criminals have the opportunity to retrain vital skills while in prison, as this will help them find stable work after their sentence is over and will improve their reintegration into society and financial development.

To sum up, the convicts recommit the crimes owing to a lack of financial help, job opportunities, and rehabilitation. Still, crime rates would drop considerably if the government implemented the above-mentioned measures and kept a close eye on first-time offenders once set free.

  • Rehabilitation  

Meaning: the action of restoring someone to a healthy or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness  Eg: The older woman was sent to a rehabilitation centre. 

Meaning: succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty) Eg: It was difficult for John to overcome the loss of his pet. 

Meaning: teach (a person, especially an unemployed person) new skills  Eg: The University started a reskilling program for the students. 

  • Repetition  

Meaning: the action of repeating something that has already been said or written. Eg: The staff was fired due to her repetition of mistakes. 

  • Earn (one’s) daily bread 

Meaning: to do work of any kind for a living Eg: The man earned his daily bread by working at a construction site. 

  • Self-sustaining 

Meaning: able to continue in a healthy state without outside assistance  Eg: Kay was self-sustaining from his business. 

Meaning: observe and check the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time  Eg: The teacher monitored the students during the exam. 

Meaning: make certain that (something) will occur or be the case   Eg: My mother ensured that I scored good marks. 

Meaning: turn to and adopt (a course of action, especially an extreme or undesirable one) so as to resolve a difficult situation.  Eg: Jill had to resort to a loan from the bank. 

Meaning: force (an unwelcome decision or ruling) on someone  Eg: The government imposed strict travel restrictions. 

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion

Many people argue whether every crime should have a fixed punishment. Some people disagree saying that the motive and intent of the crime must be found out.

It is believed that if the criminals are given fixed punishments, they will be more careful while performing their daily activities and will fear to do unlawful activities. This may turn advantageous to society. 

If the punishments are fixed, a lot of time and money will be saved. If different sentences are to be given, the government might have to spend more money on lawyers and on enforcing security measures. Instead of spending money on these purposes, it can be used for other sectors like education, development of society and so on.

On the other side, people think that having the same punishment for every crime may not bring justice in a real sense, because some crimes are unintentional. To avoid this, the punishments must be given knowing the real reason behind them.

Thus we can say that the main focus should be on serving equal justice to the people. There is no point in giving the same punishment for all crimes because no two crimes are of the same motive.

Other essays related to Crime and Punishment

There are also other related essays that you can make use of while practicing for writing task 2 essays. The list is given below:

  • Juvenile Criminal
  • Some people say that when children under 18 are committing a crime they should be punished, while others believe they should be educated. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion.
  • Studies show that criminals get a low level of education. Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is by educating people in prison so they can get a job after leaving prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • In some countries, a high proportion of criminal acts are committed by teenagers. Why has this happened? What can be done to deal with this?
  • Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later. Some people think that having these people to give a talk to school students is the best way to tell them about the dangers of committing a crime. Do you agree or disagree?

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

  • Some People Prefer to Spend Their Lives Doing The Same Things and Avoiding Change
  • Some People Believe That Reading Stories From a Book is Better Than Watching Tv or Playing Computer Games for Children.
  • Some People Say That Economic Growth Is The Only Way to End Hunger and Poverty
  • Scientific Research Should Be Carried Out and Controlled by the Government
  • The Tradition of Families Getting Together to Eat Meals is Disappearing
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  • Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
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Proven tips to score Band 9 in IELTS Writing

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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Sample Essay on Rising Crime Rates

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 21, 2022 | Model Essays | 0

Sample Essay on Rising Crime Rates

There are many common IELTS topics that you frequently see in task 2 of the writing test, and one of those is the topic of crime. Today, we are going to look at a sample essay relating to this subject and I’ll point out some useful ideas in terms of vocabulary and structure.

Analysing the Question

Before you start any IELTS essay, you should spend a moment thinking about the question. This is important because sometimes they can be trickier than they initially appear.

Here’s our question for today:

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?

Fortunately, this is not a difficult question. The meaning is pretty straightforward and I think most people could grasp what they need to do. Ultimately, you need to do two things:

  • Say why crime is increasing in frequency and level of violence
  • Suggest some solutions to this problem

This is what’s known as either a “ cause and solution essay ” or “problem and solution essay.” Either way, you have two parts – either a cause or a problem and then a solution to that problem.

It is important you don’t focus only on one part. Also, in this particular question, don’t overlook the fact that it’s about both rising crime levels and rising violence levels.

Generating Ideas

This isn’t the easiest question to answer. Actually, it took me a while to think of some good ideas for it because, to the best of my knowledge, crime (and especially violent crime) has actually been decreasing in recent decades! Look at this line graph:

ielts essays on crime

Of course, that’s just for Western Europe, and in some parts of the world the opposite trend can be observed. Here, we can see that some places have, sadly, seen a rise in homicides (that means the same as murder):

ielts essays on crime

Considering the question, I had to think creatively. In those places that I don’t really know about, what factors could have caused rising crime levels and in particular rising violent crime rates?

To answer questions like this, it’s not enough just to be good at English. You need to have a good general knowledge and that means you should read widely, listen to podcasts, watch the news, and become an informed world citizen.

I have a whole article on learning to generate great ideas for IELTS essays.

Structuring your Essay

When it comes to cause and solution essays, I typically structure them like this:

ielts essays on crime

There may be other great ways to structure your essay, but this is my preference. It allows me to write sample answers quickly and effectively, putting forth my position as clearly as possible in a very short time.

Think about it: You have two things to write, so why not put one in each of your body paragraphs? Simple!

I will structure this essay as follows:

In this sort of essay, it can be hard to write an introduction and in particular an essay outline . That’s because you aren’t putting forth any opinion and instead you’re hinting at the ideas that you will explain later.

I want to make clear in my essay that this is not an easy situation to explain and that it will also be hard to fix! Don’t worry. You can be honest. It’s better to give a nuanced explanation than to simply say, “We need the government to solve it.” That is simplistic and lacks intelligence.

Finally, remember to include a conclusion that summarises your ideas without repeating them.

Vocabulary about Crime

I have a whole article on the IELTS topic of crime and punishment . It gives lots of vocabulary and even includes a helpful video that can make learning more interesting!

In this essay, I will use the following words and phrases:

Remember that you can always learn more crime-related vocabulary by searching on Google News or just reading the newspaper each day. I highly recommend that you check out websites such as BBC News and The Guardian . You will see a lot of articles about crime there.

Sample Band 9 Answer

In some parts of the world, crime rates are increasing and the types of crime are becoming more violent. This can be attributed to urbanisation and the deterioration of traditional values and, in order to fix it, societies will need to work to give people more opportunities.

Whilst crimes rates are plummeting in most parts of the world, in some places they are on the rise. Obviously, the reasons for this depend on the individual location, but generally it seems to happen because people are moving from traditional ways of living to big cities. The problem is that, in small communities, people have purpose and accountability. In other words, a young man would be known by all the people in his village and have a job to do in order to contribute to that society. However, when the village disbands and he goes to the big city, it is not easy to make a good living. He might become part of a gang or become addicted to drugs. Without accountability and in the comparatively anonymous environment of the big city, he could easily become engaged in desperate and violent crimes.

Fixing this sort of problem is never easy, but there are various approaches. Certainly, it helps to improve policing but perhaps the problem can be stopped at its root if people are given more education and opportunity. These people would likely not turn to crime if they were supported as part of a community. Again, this is not an easy thing to facilitate, but it is possible through different approaches. Ultimately, the aim needs to be maintaining social values and giving people a sense of responsibility and purpose. When people have these things, they are much less likely to engage in violent crimes.

In conclusion, there are myriad reasons for crime rates increasing but perhaps urbanisation and the loss of traditional values are to blame. Giving people purpose and making them accountable for their own actions could counteract this.

As I mentioned above, I felt surprised that this question talked about rising crime rates but it does make sense when you think that certain countries or parts of countries are indeed experiencing this problem. Thus, I tried to put my feelings forward with careful explanations.

You will see that my body paragraphs are quite complex. That’s because this is not a simple topic. I don’t feel it’s possible to get a band 9 for Task Response without explaining just how complex the causes and solutions to crime are. It is not an easy issue to discuss.

You will see that I’ve avoided any bizarre vocabulary. Long-term readers of this blog will know that such an approach is not helpful. The best thing is to use the right word, whatever that may be. Aim for accuracy rather than obscurity.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Crime Based Opinion Essay in IELTS

Crime Based Opinion Essay in IELTS: Here’s all about the IELTS Writing Task 2 You should Know

The IELTS writing section is divided into two parts, Task 1 and Task 2. The IELTS writing task 2 consists of 66% of your marks in this section. You must allocate at least forty minutes to writing it. The essay contains at least 250 words. You will be marked on the response to the question you give, the coherence and cohesion of your answer, the vocabulary and the grammar of your answer.

These essays are formal and some common question types are discussion questions, opinion questions, advantage/ disadvantage questions, and direct questions. Writing task 2 is the same for both the academic and the general training IELTS, but the questions asked in the general training IELTS are easier and much simpler. Crime Based opinion essay is some of the most common questions asked in the IELTS writing task 2. Continue reading this article to know more about crime essays in IELTS writing task 2.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples: Exam Questions & Answers to Target Minimum Band 8

Crime-Fighting Essay Writing in IELTS

Sample topic.

Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion. Crime is unquestionably one of the most prevailing and worrying aspects of any society, and its prevention should be taken seriously. Crime prevention can be executed in various ways, firstly through a sustained honest presence in the community and secondly through international cooperation. A local presence by incorruptible law enforcement authorities may be costly, however, the long-term investment would pay dividends in the future. A safer region would encourage trade, investment and set an invaluable example for younger generations. For example, crime has dramatically been reduced in the Favelas around Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This was achieved largely through the government committing large funds of money to station police headquarters in and around the slums. These financial expenditures greatly benefited the community.

Lead towards Conclusion

Secondly, due to the large-scale severity and the global impact that crime has in some areas of the world, global cooperation is critical. Operating differently would incur significant financial losses and render any expenditure futile. For example, Somalian pirates in Africa have reigned terror amongst many ocean transport companies in the area. Only through large-scale international cooperation was policing the area possible. Therefore, crime reduction can be attributed to a joint effort between countries. To conclude, illegal activities are a costly and dangerous fact in the present global economy; however, large-scale government investment prevention is an attainable goal. Also, spreading the expense through international cooperation the resources invested can be significantly more effective in reducing criminals’ effectiveness abroad.

Also Read: Is there a Fact Check in Essay Writing in IELTS? Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’t

The Crime Rate in India IELTS Essay

In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing. What do you think are the main causes of crime? How can we deal with those causes? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. Many nations are witnessing a drastic rise in crime rates. I think this is attributable to multiple reasons such as lack of education, unemployment, an inefficient judicial system, to name a few. Firstly, education plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s character. It is education that makes us capable of differentiating right and wrong early in our childhood. Lack of basic education is one of the primary causes of increasing crimes. For example, in my country India, the vast majority of the population is illiterate. This has a deleterious impact on society as a whole because people turn to crime without any thought, they cannot comprehend what’s right and wrong. To deal with this issue, primary education should be made available to everyone without any fees and the government should take serious measures to make this mandatory for everybody.
Furthermore, the other main cause of the spike in crime rates is unemployment. As it is rightly said,” An empty mind is a devil’s workshop.” When people cannot find work, they have all the free time in the world. They think of crime as a shortcut to obtaining and possessing the riches of life, without any hard work. To tackle this problem, authorities should focus on increasing jobs and also introducing some compensation for unemployed people. Instead of such compensation, they should be made to do social and community work. Also, an inefficient judicial system is equally to be blamed. Failing to punish criminals in time is yet another reason why people are not afraid of committing a crime. To exemplify, India reported the cruellest and inhuman gang rape case a few years ago. It got global attention, there was a mass protest, people demanded immediate justice. Despite such a movement, it took over three years to come out with a judgment, and yet the criminals have still not been executed. In such cases, it is the slow and laid-back judicial system that is responsible for many rape cases being reported every single day. I think, if the government imposes severe implications on violating laws, crime rates will see a rapid fall.

Add Conclusion

To conclude, there is an urgent need for governments to focus on addressing illiteracy and unemployment problems, which attribute to the rise of crime rates. At the same time, it demands strengthening the judicial system so people fear the repercussions of committing a crime.

ALSO READ IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics 2021 with Answers: Common Topics for Your IELTS Preparation

Increase in Juvenile Crime IELTS Essay

It is often thought that the increase in juvenile crime can be attributed to violence in the media. What do you think is the reason for the growth in the rate of juvenile crime? What solutions can you offer to deal with this situation?

Sample Answer

It is considered by some that the high rate of juvenile delinquency is linked to the aggression displayed by the media. In my opinion, the violence portrayed by the media does play a key role in the escalating rate of crimes committed by youth; however, I also believe that video game violence contributes to this issue. Several solutions should be implemented to deal with juvenile crime. Young adults are highly influenced by the media; since the media often shows that heroes are violent and are rewarded for their behavior, they become role models for youth. In other words, young adults try to imitate the behavior they see believing it makes them “cool” to carry weapons and resolve their issues through aggression. Additionally, children who watch television become desensitized to violence and they come to see it as a way of life. Hence, vulnerable youth who have been victimized may be tempted to commit crimes as a means of resolving problems.
The impact of violent video games on adolescents is another important reason ascribing to the increase of juvenile delinquency. The atrocities and brutalities exhibited by many video games have destructive influences on the behaviour of teenagers making them more hostile. To illustrate, studies have shown that some video games can alter brain chemistry and have an effect on the development of children causing them to become addicted to the game and developing aggressive behaviour. Thus, when these youth go out in the real-world, some attempt to re-enact those games without thinking of the consequences.
There are a few effective solutions to the crimes committed by juveniles. Parents should supervise their children and monitor their actions. Adolescents should not be excessively exposed to violence. Mentoring and educating young adults about the consequences of their actions is also crucial. Another effective solution is to provide counselling and therapy for troubled children and teenagers who have had problems in the past and have a hard time dealing with them. All of the above points should be implemented to successfully decrease juvenile crime. In conclusion, supervising, guiding, and providing help for youth who are exposed to too much violence is vital to decrease the crime rate and for their overall well-being.

Also Read: How to Write Agree and Disagree Essays in IELTS? Tips to Write the Perfect Essay

This section accounts for a major portion of the writing section hence you must perform well in this section. These articles might have given you a clear idea about the different types of questions asked in the IELTS writing section 2 and how should you answer these questions to achieve a good band score. To read more such articles on the IELTS writing task 2 visit the IELTS Ninja website . You can read more about the crime essays in IELTS writing task 2 here.

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Ielts essay # 287 - fixed punishments for each type of crime, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment..

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ielts essays on crime

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  • Reducing Crime Essay

Model IELTS Essays - Reducing Crime

IELTS essays can be on a variety of topics, and this writing sample is about  reducing crime .

As with the previous essay , there are two opinions, and you must discuss each one and your opinion must also be given.

Reducing Crime

In the previous essay, the writers opinion was given in the conclusion. In this one, a separate body paragraph discusses the writers opinion.

If you do this though you have to be very careful not to just repeat what you have said in a previous paragraph into the third paragraph.

It has to be something new.

IELTS Essays - Reducing Crime

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Essays - Model Answer:

Crime is a serious and growing problem in most societies. Although many people believe that the best way to tackle this is to place people in prison for longer periods, others are of the opinion that other measures will be more effective.

There are benefits of giving offenders longer prison sentences. Firstly, spending a long time in prison provides an opportunity for the prison services to rehabilitate a prisoner. For example, someone who has committed a serious offence such as assault will need a long time in prison in order to be sure they can be re-educated not to re-offend. In addition to this, longer prison sentences will act as a deterrent for someone who is thinking of committing a crime.

However, some people argue that leaving people in prison for a long time means that they will mix with other criminals and so their character will not improve. One alternative is community service. This gives an offender the opportunity to give something positive back to society, and so it may improve their character. Also, the government could focus its resources on the causes of crime, which would lead to less crime in the future.

In my opinion, it is important to look at alternative methods. Many countries have lengthy prison sentences, but crime has continued to increase throughout the world, so it is clear that this is not completely effective. That said, long prison sentences should remain for those who commit serious crimes such as assault or murder, as justice for the victim and their family should take priority.

To conclude, there are good arguments for and against long sentences, so governments must continue to research the various methods of crime reduction to ensure effective policies are in place.

(290 words)

Learn more crime vocabulary

The writer of this essay has produced a well balanced and coherent piece of writing.

They clearly answer the question. The first body paragraph is dedicated to discussing the merits of long sentences, and the second body looks at alternative methods. Finally, the writer provides their own opinion on the issue.

Very important for IELTS essays, each paragraph has a clear central topic which is expanded upon in the supporting sentences.

Regarding grammar, the writer has successfully demonstrated their ability to use a mix of sentence structures, including a variety of complex sentences (although... someone who... in order to... means that... which would...).

Ideas are coherently presented by using transition words (Firstly,... For example,... In addition to this,... However, .... In my opinion,... To conclude,...).

It is important in IELTS essays to have good topic related vocabulary in order to achieve a higher score, and this is evident in this piece of work (re-offend... rehabilitate... re-educated... deterrent... committing a crime...).

Also of importance with regards to vocabulary is to vary your word choices and not to repeat the same word. This can be done by using synonyms, as the writer has done with the word alternative 'ways', using variations of this (methods... measures...).

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Crime: IELTS Topic Ideas, Grammar, Vocabulary and Sample Answers

Crime: IELTS Topic Ideas, Grammar, Vocabulary and Sample Answers

October 12, 2023 By Ben Worthington

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In this tutorial, we discuss crime IELTS Topic Ideas, grammar, vocabulary and sample answers.

We look at:

  • Specific vocabulary, collocations, and phrases related to crime.
  • What are cleft sentences and how to use it in the IELTS Topic crime.
  • Model essay on the Pros and cons of imprisonment versus rehabilitation.
  • Sample answers for IELTS speaking part three questions about crime.

Join many other students who have achieved IELTS success with our online course or get instant writing feedback with our online IELTS essay checker . 

You can download or listen to the full tutorial here:

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About Ben Worthington

As the founder of IELTSPodcast, Ben started his journey as an English educator in 2006. Ben and his team of teachers provide students with expert advice, twice a week to cover the writing, reading, listening and speaking sections of the IELTS exam.

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ielts essays on crime

Crime | IELTS Problem/Solution Essay Sample

In this post, we will look at a problem/solution  essay  example from the IELTS writing task 2 test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various questions on different topics. For example, you could write essays to answer questions about education or the environment, which benefits you because you learn vocabulary associated with those topics and develop ideas that can help you in your writing test.

Practising writing IELTS task 2 essays  on a range of topics is a great way to learn new vocabulary for those topics, but also to practice your essay structures . You begin to develop your ideas around those topics, thinking of examples and giving your opinions.

If you would like to learn how to structure a problem/solution essay  please click the button below >

Take a look at the IELTS essay example  below >>

Different nations are now facing the problem of ever-increasing numbers of juvenile criminals. Firstly, this essay will discuss the causes of this dilemma and secondly the possible answers to solve this challenge.

On the one hand, many adults would often use children to help them commit offences. This is because young children are not punishable by law, but rather they are only subjected to undergo seminars and training that would help them to become law-abiding citizens. In addition, being born into a poor family and having no education makes them susceptible to criminal gangs because they want to help their families and they think that it’s an easy way of earning. For instance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Philippines in 2017 reported that 98% of the juvenile criminals are out of school youths.

On the other hand, the government and the community should cooperate in order to solve this problem. They should help the parents of these children by providing training and offering benefits that would supply a budget for their families. Free education should be also given to these children so that they can have employment prospects when they grow up. The government should also address the problem of overpopulation by allocating a budget for family planning because having a larger family means that one will have higher living costs. For example, a study by the Philippine National Police in 2016 stated that 95% of young offenders came from poor families with more than 8 family members.

In conclusion, children should be subjected to love and care and not be subjected to the evils of society. We should keep in mind that our children are our future and they hold the key to our survival.

(Word count – 290 / Band score 8)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Agree/Disagree Essays ADVANTAGE / DISADVANTAGE ESSAY CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY IELTS Problem/Solution Essay IELTS Discussion Essay  POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ESSAY Direct Question Essay IELTS Writing Task 2 Student Essay

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  • Task Achievement  – The essay provides an answer to the question asked, supported by relevant examples.
  • Coherence and Cohesion  – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs .
  • Lexical Resource  – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy  – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures. 

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test . If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

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IELTS Essay: Rise in crime-rate among teenagers

by Manjusha Nambiar · Published December 18, 2012 · Updated February 19, 2019

The crime rate among teenagers has increased dramatically in many countries.  Discuss some possible reasons for this increase and suggest solutions. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Here is a band 9 IELTS essay on this topic. Need help with IELTS writing? Get your writing samples corrected by me or buy my book with proven tips to improve your grammar and writing.

Band 9 IELTS essay sample

The number of teens who gets involved in criminal activities is on the rise. This is quite distressing because teenage is a wonderful period of life when children should be busy working towards building a flourishing career and a secure future. There are many reasons for this increase in crime rate among teenagers. The most important among them will be discussed in this essay.

Although this is not a country-specific phenomenon this rise in crime-rate is mainly observed in countries where a healthy family institution doesn’t exist. Children coming from a functional family unit are less likely to get into crime or other anti-social activities. That is because they are answerable to someone at home. This fear of authority will naturally deter from indulging in this sort of activities. What’s more, children experience more emotional security in a loving family which makes them less prone to developing criminal tendencies.

On the other hand, children of divorced parents have to deal with a lot of stress. In many countries, especially in the West, the institution of family is not all that strong. In fact, a large number of children are brought up by single moms and in a few cases, single dads. The chronic absence of one parent can have a huge impact on the emotional well-being of the children. A lot of them turn to crime to give vent to their pent-up emotions and frustration. Another reason behind this rise in the crime rate is the glorification of violence in films and electronic media. Even family oriented films and television serials now depict an overdose of crime. All of these can influence the impressionable mind of a teenager. They might even arrive at the conclusion that it is fashionable to be a criminal.

To conclude, we cannot deal with this issue if changes do not happen at the fundamental level.  For example, parents have a duty to ensure that their children are brought up in a healthy family atmosphere.  They must also closely monitor the activities of their children. They should know who they are hanging out with and how they are doing in school. Single parents can seek the help of grandparents and other adult relatives in bringing up the children. Schools, too, have an important role to play. They can invent interesting activities to keep students engaged even after school hours. If a teen is busy with his studies and extra-curricular activities he is unlikely to have the time to nurture criminal tendencies.

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ielts essays on crime

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Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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IELTS Sample Essay: Popularity of Crime Novels and TV Dramas

In this post, I’m going to write an IELTS sample essay in response to a task published in Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training . It’s a question about the popularity of crime novels and crime dramas on TV .

As with my other IELTS sample essays , I’m going to use my 5 Step Approach for planning and writing an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.

Step 1: Understand Task

Step 2: decide position, step 3: plan, step 4: write, step 5: check.

Here is the task:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular. 

Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? 

What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas? 

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

First I need to make sure I understand the task fully.

So my task is to discuss why crime novels and TV crime dramas are popular , and what my opinion is of them . It’s NOT asking me to discuss documentaries about crime, or news stories about crime. Only novels and TV dramas. So I think this perhaps means not movies.

Discuss : novels, TV dramas about crime Don’t discuss : news stories, documentaries (movies about crime?)

There is a slightly confusing thing in the task:

  • The topic statement says: “ becoming more and more popular ”
  • The question says “ are popular ”

So am I being asked to discuss why they are becoming more popular (i.e. a trend over time) or why they are popular (i.e. a situation today)? I think it’s better to go with the question: “why…are [they] popular”.

Re-worded Task

So a re-worded task might be this:

  • Why are crime novels and TV crime dramas popular?
  • What do I think of them?

This helps me to understand the task more clearly (assuming my re-wording is accurate!)

Ok, so I understand my task. Next… what’s my position on this topic? What’s my answer to this question? What do I think?

I don’t like this task at all! I rarely watch crime shows on TV and I almost never read crime fiction. I have little interest in them, and so I’m not sure why other people read and watch them. I had to really think hard to come up with some reasons why.

I eventually thought of 2 reasons:

  • People love stories where good people overcome bad people, and crime stories fit into this kind of story well: the good detective overcoming the evil criminal
  • People are fascinated by the lives of criminals, because criminals often have extreme lifestyles: violent, wealthy, etc.

I thought of a 3rd reason, but discarded this: crime stories are gripping. That’s a bit harder to explain, so I went with the fascination with the lives of criminals.

However, I must be careful with my 2nd reason –  my task is to discuss TV crime drama (as well as novels), not documentaries or movies, so I would have to make sure I discussed TV drama that’s based on real life stories. As you will see from the essay, I mentioned a movie (Legend) as an example of crime drama – strictly speaking, it’s not TV crime drama, so it’s risky. However, I worded this carefully, mentioning that I watched it on TV, and I called it a dramatisation, so I think an IELTS examiner would see it as relevant to the task. (It’s a little risky, but I think it’s  the only crime drama I’ve watched in 10 years!)

Then I have to answer the question: “What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas?” What do I think of them?

Not much, to be honest! I don’t really watch them. But this is a perfectly fine opinion to present. I do, however, like watching crime dramas that are about real life stories.

Ok, so that’s my position, and it’s helped me to generate my main ideas. Next I need to plan out my ideas. This will help me do 2 more things: (1) develop these ideas (i.e. extend and support them), and (2) organise my ideas.

Here’s a photo of my essay plan. (I hope you can read my handwriting!) I’ve also annotated the plan with BP1, BP2 and BP3 to indicate which body paragraphs to write each idea in.

Plan

(By the way, I kept changing my example of the good detective – in my plan I crossed out Hercule Poirot and changes it to Sherlock Holmes. While writing, I realised Miss Marple was a better example!)

So I’ve got a clear plan – I’ve got a map of my essay. My next step is to turn this plan into an essay. Here is my essay for this question:

Stories about criminal activity, both fictional and real-life, have become increasingly popular over the last few decades. There are many possible reasons for this, but the two primary ones that I can think of are the underlying desire of people to see good overcome evil, and a fascination with criminal lifestyles.

Almost all stories about crime, whether in print or on TV, are about good people, such as detectives and law-abiding civilians, triumphing over bad people, namely criminals. We often see this in fictional detective stories, where an otherwise ordinary person uses their intellect and skill to identify evil criminal masterminds. A good example of this is Miss Marple, an elderly woman who always manages to track down and apprehend evil criminals.

A second reason is that people have a fascination with the lives of criminals. Perhaps this is to do with people’s need for escapism. One of the most popular crime dramas in the UK of the last 20 years was ‘Legend’, a dramatisation of the lives of the Kray Twins, two violent London gang leaders of the 1960s. The film, which I watched on TV, portrayed their violent behaviour, along with their opulent and chaotic lifestyles, and I do feel that people find this compelling viewing, despite how it shows evil people succeeding.

Personally, unless it is related to real-life stories, I have little interest in either crime fiction or crime drama. I find their plots too repetitive. With true crime stories, however, I can learn something about social history and psychology. Why, for example, do people turn to lives of crime? Is it simply for money, or are they motivated by power as well? And what causes people to join gangs and follow people like the Krays? These are all interesting questions.

In summary, a desire to see good triumph over evil, along with a fascination with evil, are two reasons I think underlie the popularity of crime stories, but my interest in them is mainly limited to dramatisations of real lives.

(335 words)

Step 5 would be to check your essay. Because I’m writing a blog post, I checked and edited my essay before publishing!

Comments on Vocabulary

I’ve used a wide range of phrases which have a clear, precise meaning, for example:

  • criminal activity
  • a fascination with criminal lifestyles
  • law-abiding civilians
  • an otherwise ordinary person
  • evil criminal masterminds
  • manages to track down and apprehend
  • people’s need for escapism
  • their opulent and chaotic lifestyles
  • compelling viewing

“crime” and “criminal”

I used the word “crime” 7 times and “criminal” 6 times. It’s almost impossible to avoid repeating these words as they have no exact synonyms.

Some IELTS test takers might change “crime” to “offence”, e.g. they would change:

  • “Almost all stories about crime ” to
  • “Almost all stories about offences ”

But “offences” has a more general meaning than “crime”, so it makes the writing less precise. It also makes the writing less natural

Or test takers might change:

  • “Stories about criminal activity, both fictional and real-life” , to
  • “Stories about illegal activity, both fictional and real-life”

But “illegal” has a more general, less clear meaning than “criminal”.

So you often have to repeat words which have a precise meaning. The alternative is to use imprecise, unnatural vocabulary, which will limit your band score for lexical resource.

I hope you found this useful. If you have any questions or thoughts about my essay, please add them in the comments below. Thanks for reading! And don’t forget to read my other IELTS sample essays .

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Paragraph 3

Paragraph 4

Paragraph 5

Read More About This Topic

If you would like to read more about the popularity of crime novels and TV crime drama, here are some interesting articles. (I wish I’d read these before I tried to write my essay!)

https://cine-vue.com/2020/06/the-enduring-popularity-of-tv-crime-dramas.html

https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/why-is-tv-addicted-to-crime-shows.html

https://www.beemgee.com/blog/crime-fiction/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/apr/12/mystery-crime-fiction-bestselling-book-genre-sophie-hannah

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ielts essays on crime

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Charlie is a former IELTS Examiner with 25 years' teaching experience all over the world. His courses, for both English language learners and teachers, have been taken by over 100,000 students in over 160 countries around the world.

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IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further crime after their release (reasons and solutions)

  • IELTS Essays - Band 9

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 5 Academic book, Practice Test 22

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is a fact that the majority of people who are sent to prison commit further crime after their release.

What is causing this? What can be done to change this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

ielts essays on crime

Sample Band 9 Essay

It is a sad fact that criminals who leave prison go on to commit further crime. There are various reasons for this, but there are also some things that can be done to prevent it from happening.

One reason for this recidivism is due to a lack of legitimate income. Many people turn to crime as they cannot find an alternative to earn money. When such person comes out of prison, it is very often the case that they have the same few opportunities for a legitimate income. In fact, these opportunities will even be reduced, as employers are often less willing to give an ex-prisoner a job. Some people also return to crime, as they spend all the time of their prison sentence with other criminals. This is not a great environment for rehabilitation, and sometimes even a network of contacts can be made to help develop criminal activities on release.

One important way to help address this problem is education. Criminals who have turned to illegal activities because of no alternatives to earn a living need to learn a way to earn a wage, such as a trade or vocational skills. Computer skills, for example, are in high demand and someone trained in these could very possibly find work. In addition, governments can offer incentives to employers to attract them to give jobs to newly-released prisoners. This would help people who don’t really want to return to crime achieve a fresh start. As keeping people in prison is an expensive business, governments might find it cheaper to pay these incentives.

To sum up, people returning to crime is a tragedy that should be avoided if at all possible in today’s society. Education and incentives can directly address the reasons for it and could make society a happier and safer place.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays

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2 thoughts on “IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further crime after their release (reasons and solutions)”

It is a sad fact that individuals who are released from prison often go on to commit further crimes. There are various reasons for this, but there are also measures that can be taken to prevent it from happening.

One primary cause of recidivism is the lack of legitimate income opportunities. Many people turn to crime because they cannot find alternative ways to earn money. Unfortunately, even after leaving prison, they often face limited options for legal employment. In fact, their chances may diminish as employers tend to be reluctant to hire ex-prisoners. Additionally, spending time in prison alongside other criminals hinders rehabilitation and can lead to establishing new criminal connections upon release.

Effectively addressing this issue requires a focus on education. Individuals who have resorted to illegal activities due to limited alternatives need access to learn marketable skills or trades that enable them to secure lawful means of earning a living. For instance, providing training in high-demand fields like computer skills could significantly improve their prospects for finding employment opportunities. Furthermore, governments can incentivize employers by offering benefits or rewards for hiring newly-released prisoners. This approach would provide those who genuinely wish not returnto crime with an opportunity for a fresh start. Given the high costs associated with incarceration, governments might find investing in these incentives more cost-effective.

In conclusion, minimizing the recurrence of criminal behavior among former offenders is crucial in our modern society.The solutions lie ineducation and incentives which directly address the root causes behind recidivism while contributing towards creating safer communities where individuals have better opportunities for productive lives.

一个可悲的事实是,从监狱获释的人往往会继续犯下更多的罪行。造成这种情况的原因有很多,但也可以采取一些措施来防止这种情况的发生。 累犯的一个主要原因是缺乏合法的收入机会。许多人转向犯罪是因为他们找不到其他赚钱的方法。不幸的是,即使在离开监狱后,他们也经常面临有限的合法就业选择。事实上,由于雇主往往不愿意雇佣前囚犯,他们的机会可能会减少。此外,与其他罪犯一起在监狱里度过的时间阻碍了康复,并可能导致在获释后建立新的犯罪关系。 有效解决这一问题需要把重点放在教育上。由于替代方案有限而诉诸非法活动的个人需要学习有市场的技能或交易,使他们能够获得合法的谋生手段。例如,提供计算机技能等高需求领域的培训可以显著改善他们寻找就业机会的前景。此外,政府可以通过为雇佣新获释囚犯提供福利或奖励来激励雇主。这种方法将为那些真正希望不再犯罪的人提供一个重新开始的机会。考虑到监禁的高昂成本,政府可能会发现投资于这些激励措施更具成本效益。 总之,在我们的现代社会中,最大限度地减少前科犯犯罪行为的再次发生至关重要。解决方案在于不适当的教育和激励措施,直接解决再犯背后的根本原因,同时有助于创建更安全的社区,让个人有更好的机会过上富有成效的生活。

Here is a list of commonly used words and collocations based on this essay, along with their Chinese translations:

1. Recidivism – 再犯率 2. Commit further crimes – 再度犯罪 3. Released from prison – 出狱 4. Measures to prevent – 预防措施 5. Lack of legitimate income opportunities – 合法收入机会的缺乏 6. Turn to crime – 转向犯罪活动/走上犯罪道路 7. Alternative ways to earn money – 赚钱的替代方法 8. Limited options for legal employment – 有限的合法就业选择权 9.Reluctant to hire ex-prisoners- 不愿雇佣前囚犯 10.Spending time in prison alongside other criminals- 与其他罪犯一起在监禁期间度过 11.Hinders rehabilitation- 妨碍康复 12.Establishing new criminal connections- 建立新的罪恶联系 13.Focus on education 专注于教育 14.Resort to illegal activities 指向非法活动 15.Learn marketable skills or trades 学习有市场价值技能或行业 16.Secure lawful means of earning a living 获取合法谋生手段 17.High-demand fields like computer skills 计算机技能等高需求领域 18.Improve prospects for finding employment opportunities 提高找到就业机会前景 19.Incentivize employers 给雇主提供激励措施 20.Offer benefits or rewards 提供福利或奖励 21.Newly-released prisoners 刚刚释放的囚犯 22.Wish not return to crime 希望不再犯罪 23.Provide an opportunity for a fresh start 提供重新开始的机会 24.Given the high costs associated with incarceration 鉴于关押所带来的高成本 25.Minimizing the recurrence of criminal behavior 减少犯罪行为再次发生 26.Former offenders 前罪犯 27.Crucial in our modern society 在我们现代社会中至关重要 28.Address the root causes behind recidivism 解决再度回归原因 29.Contribute towards creating safer communities 有助于创造更安全的社区 30.Better opportunities for productive lives 更好地创造有意义生活的机会

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Preparation for the IELTS Exam

IELTS vocabulary: crime and punishment

Updated: April 7th 2022

In IELTS writing task 2 various topics come up, such as the environment, family, society, work, technology, education, food and diet, health, sports and sometimes crime. The topic of crime is difficult for many students as there is so much vocabulary surrounding this.

When learning new words you should always learn how the words collocate in a sentence. Research has shown that the best method is to learn set phrases and ‘chunks of language’ not single word lists when learning a new language. When learning new phrases practice making sentences with them to see how they look in context. 

To see an IELTS essay model answer on the topic of ‘crime’ click the blue button below and make note of any new words you find.

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people argue that longer jail terms are the most effective way to lower the crime rate, whereas others think that it is possible to reduce criminal offences using different methods. This essay argues that serious offenders should serve longer prison time because society needs to be protected from dangerous criminals.

On the one hand, it is widely felt that prolonged incarceration is necessary for people who commit terrible crimes to reduce the crime rate, and I completely agree with this view. This is because serious criminals such as murderers, rapists or violent offenders need to be kept away from society for as long as possible. If they are released early they will most likely re-offend and go on to commit terrible acts. For instance, evidence suggests that crime rates in developed countries, which have very long prison sentences or the death penalty for murder, are considerably lower than those with lenient sentences.

On the other hand, there is an argument that relying on sentencing to longer incarceration periods is not effective in lowering crime. In other words, society should find ways to tackle the issue of re-offending. To illustrate this, studies from the UK Government have shown that most ex-inmates tend to re-offend because they cannot integrate back into society. Hence, they need support such as education and job training to rebuild their life rather than spending years behind bars. I believe that helping them is essential to stop them from re-offending, however, heavier penalties for serious crimes must not be overlooked.

In conclusion, despite differing views on how to reduce crime, I believe keeping hardened criminals in jail for extended periods is essential to deter them from going back into society and endangering public safety.

Types of crime:

For definitions and meaning go to www.dictionary.com and type the word into the ‘definitions’ box at the top of the page..

Serious crimes

  • Fraud / Scam 
  • Manslaughter
  • Attempted murder
  • Drug smuggling
  • Human trafficking
  • Embezzlement
  • Organised crime
  • Corporate crime

Less serious crimes

  • Shoplifting
  • Petty crime / Misdemeanour
  • Juvenile crime
  • Drink driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Jumping a red light/traffic violations
  • Pickpocketing
  • Possession of drugs (in some countries this is a serious crime)

People who carry out the crimes (in red)  notice the article ‘a’ before the person

Burglary – a burglar Theft – a thief Pickpocketing – a pickpocket Murder – a murderer Robbery – a robber Mugging – a mugger Fraud – a fraudster Scam – a scammer Shoplifting – a shoplifter Hacking – a hacker Arson – an arsonist Offence – an offender Crime – a criminal

Example sentences:

Click the button below to see these words in context.

  • Online fraud and internet banking scams are rising all over the world now.
  • The number of phishing scams has increased recently.
  • Extortion is commonly used by organised crime syndicates in many countries.
  • She was imprisoned for 25 years for committing murder.
  • He spent 8 years in jail for committing manslaughter .
  • Shoplifting is common among people who are experiencing poverty.
  • Petty crime, such as shoplifting, has decreased considerably in this town.
  • Juvenile crime was a serious issue in London during the 1970s.
  • He spent 1 year in prison for burglary.
  • Human trafficking is a major problem worldwide now.
  • Corporate crime, such as bribery , is widespread among developed nations.
  • The number of muggings in London is much lower now compared to a decade ago.
  • He was charged with assault and sentenced to prison for 6 months.
  • A parking fine is usually considered to be a misdemeanour .
  • He pleaded guilty to  attempted murder  and was given a lengthy jail term.

Collocations and set phrases:

Here are some common phrases and collocations connected to crime with some example sentences to show how they fit in the context of a sentence.

bring crime rates down / reduce crime rates 

  • The government has announced new policies to reduce crime rates.
  • The government has announced new policies to bring crime rates down.

sentenced to prison / to be given a prison sentence 

  • He was sentenced to 3 months in prison for fraud. 
  • He was given a 2-year prison sentence for robbery. 

found guilty of a crime

  • He was found guilty of fraud and was given 2 years in prison by the Judge.

convicted of a crime

  • He was convicted of murder and was given life imprisonment.

jail / prison / behind bars / incarcerated /  locked up 

  • The judge sentenced him to 6 months in prison.
  • The judge sentenced him to 6 months in jail.
  • He was incarcerated for 5 years.
  • Many people believe that long term incarceration is the best punishment for murder.
  • Dangerous criminals need to be locked up.
  • He is serving 2 years behind bars for arson.

serving time/imprisonment

  • He is serving time behind bars for fraud .
  • Imprisonment for serious offences should be far higher than for less serious crimes.

commit a crime / c riminal activities / break the law

  • The number of crimes committed rose by 12% last year. 
  • He committed a serious crime so he will be punished accordingly. 
  • Criminal activities have been increasing due to far fewer police patrols in the city centre. 
  • If you break the law you could go to jail or get a fine.

offenders / lawbreakers / offences / re-offend / re-offending

  • Offences such as shoplifting and theft have declined in recent years. 
  • The number of serious offenders in the UK has dropped by 5% this year.
  • Law courts must deal with  lawbreakers effectively.
  • Many serious criminals tend to re-offend after being released from prison.
  • Re-offending is common among those that were jailed for long periods.

accused of wrongdoing 

  • The politician was accused of wrongdoing so he resigned from his post.

heavy penalties / strict penalties / harsh treatment 

  • The police give heavy penalties to anyone caught drinking and driving.
  • Strict penalties for drunk driving are widely believed to be the most effective policy.
  • In some societies, harsh treatment in prison is considered the best way to deter serious crimes.

a lenient sentence / get off lightly / a soft option

  • Although the offender was accused of manslaughter, he got a lenient sentence of only 9 months.
  • Considering that he was convicted of assault, he got off lightly with only a fine.
  • Fines for drunk driving offences are often believed to be a soft option.

the criminal justice system

  • The criminal justice system in Japan is in desperate need of reform.

convicts / prisoners / inmates

  • In developing countries, many of the inmates receive harsh treatment in prison.
  • The news reported that there were two escaped convicts on the loose.
  • Many of the prisoners took part in riots protesting the extremely harsh conditions of the jail

rehabilitation/counselling sessions

  • In Norway, there is an emphasis on rehabilitation of offenders with regular counselling sessions , rather than long periods in jail.

integrate back into society 

  • It is very difficult for someone who has been in jail for many years to integrate back into society.

held under house arrest

  • The businessman is being held under house arrest while authorities investigate the charges of embezzlement against him.

community service

  • Many people would argue that community service is just a soft option for criminals.

act as a deterrent

  • The main advantage of long prison sentences is that they act as a deterrent.

pay a hefty fine

  • The police are giving out hefty fines of $500 to anyone caught speeding.

seek compensation

  • The defendants’ lawyer is seeking compensation for the wrongful imprisonment of his client.

a miscarriage of justice

He was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 10 years in prison due to a miscarriage of justice.

Other useful phrases

Take a look at the example sentences and check the online dictionary for the full definition here www.dictionary.com

  • Court   –  The case will be heard in court next Monday
  • Court case –  After the high profile court case he was followed everywhere by the press.
  • The judge –  The judge sentenced him to 3 years in prison.
  • The defendant –  The defendant wanted more time to prepare his case.
  • The jury –    The jury came to a decision and found the defendant not guilty.
  • Charged with a crime –  The defendant was charged with robbery.
  • Guilty –  She was found guilty of shoplifting
  • Innocent – He was found innocent and not charged with any crime.
  • Evidence / Proof – There was no evidence or proof to show that he committed the crime.
  • Verdict –   The jury reached a verdict and found the defendant guilty of fraud.
  • In custody –  She spent 5 days in custody awaiting her sentence.
  • Trial –  He is currently in custody and is awaiting trial.
  • Witness –  The witness was given police protection as it was a high profile murder case.
  • Make an appeal –  The defence lawyer made an appeal to the judge as he felt that the punishment was very unfair.
  • Seek damages – The defendant is seeking damages for unlawful imprisonment.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions.

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Guest Essay

What Martin Luther King Jr. Knew About Crime and Mental Illness

Blurred image of a white bird taking flight from a fence.

By Alvin L. Bragg Jr.

Mr. Bragg Jr. is the Manhattan district attorney.

In September 1958, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was stabbed with a seven-inch steel letter opener. He had been autographing copies of his first book in Blumstein’s department store in Harlem. The woman who stabbed him was named Izola Ware Curry .

When Dr. King found out she was schizophrenic, he harbored no ill will toward her , saying instead, “I know that we want her to receive the necessary treatment so that she may become a constructive citizen in an integrated society where a disorganized personality need not become a menace to any man.”

Dated description aside, King recognized that people in crisis need mental health care to be healthy and safe. The many Izola Ware Currys in New York today are far more likely to find themselves in jail, or relegated to street corners and subway stations, than they are to receive comprehensive treatment. This disconnect can set the stage for people with mental illness to be both victims and perpetrators of real violence.

Mental illness isn’t a crime, and jail isn’t the answer for those experiencing it. We must meet the needs of people in crisis with treatment and support. In order to do so, we need more funding.

Lawmakers in Albany right now are in the final stages of negotiating our state budget. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Senate and Assembly must make good on their earlier support for significant investments in mental health care — especially for New Yorkers who have been struggling, posing potential dangers to themselves and others. Doing so now can reduce assaults in our city by people experiencing mental health crises. They can also ensure that when those people do commit crimes, they are held accountable in a manner that reduces recidivism.

Around half of people in New York City jails — some 3,000 men and women — have been diagnosed with some degree of mental illness. On any given day, hundreds await evaluations or beds at dwindling and overwhelmed state psychiatric hospitals . On a typical day at Manhattan Criminal Court, you’ll witness the churn of people struggling with mental illness, caught up in a cycle of recidivism and incarceration instead of receiving the therapy, medication and other services that would help them lead healthy, productive lives.

And it’s not only New York. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, in the United States, people with serious mental illness are more likely to encounter law enforcement than they are to receive treatment . Since the 1950s, around the time King barely dodged death, the number of state hospital psychiatric beds has decreased by around 94 percent. In many cases, jails and prisons filled the void. While large-scale psychiatric institutionalization was far from perfect — to say the very least — meaningful community-based alternatives never materialized.

Today, corrections facilities double as de facto mental health hospitals across the nation — and about 63 percent of those with a history of mental illness do not receive treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prison.

But it is in New York City where the failed mental health system seems to be on starkest display.

Desperate scenes of people in clear distress on subway platforms, in city parks and on bustling street corners, are commonplace. And although overall crime is down , the city has witnessed terrifying acts of violence and alarming incidents of disorder. Innocent people shoved in front of oncoming trains is a citywide nightmare. Women fear being randomly punched while walking down the street. This is a humanitarian disaster, and a public health and safety crisis.

We must do better — for those with real and complex mental health needs, and for all New Yorkers who currently fear for their safety. But attaining a comprehensive mental health system won’t happen overnight.

In the past few years, I’ve committed $9 million to two programs, Neighborhood Navigators and Court Navigators . In both programs, individuals with lived experience — designated “navigators”— help guide our struggling neighbors through the complex landscape of social services. It’s a start, but so much more is needed.

This year’s state budget is another opportunity to continue to build New York’s mental health infrastructure. My office submitted a detailed proposal to Albany leaders outlining mental health investments that are urgently needed this year. If we fail to take systemic action, New Yorkers will continue to confront daily scenes of desperation, and risk falling victim to shocking — but not surprising — acts of arbitrary violence.

Most directly related to the work of the Manhattan district attorney’s office, I’ve asked Albany to invest at least $25 million to expand and strengthen New York’s problem-solving courts. Such courts provide precisely the kind of treatment options that King may have wanted for his attacker, but that did not exist then. In exchange for pleading guilty, participants are offered court-supervised treatment instead of incarceration.

If they comply with their treatment plan and avoid rearrest (typically for 18 to 24 months), their felony plea can be reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed. One mental health court found that it reduced the likelihood of rearrest by 46 percent.

I also urged Albany leaders to fund community-based mental health treatment, investing $16.3 million to fund 20 new teams to provide support to justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. Similar initiatives have been shown to reduce overall recidivism .

For those who cannot be safely diverted from incarceration to treatment in the community, Hope House , which recently broke ground in the Bronx, will soon offer a safe and humane alternative to the Rikers Island jail complex, with 24-hour security and therapeutic treatment. The state should commit $30 million in capital funding to scale up the Hope House model.

Supportive housing provides essential stability to those with mental illness who have been justice-involved. Thousands of individuals returning to New York City from state prison go straight to shelters. Homelessness increases the risk of incarceration, which in turn increases the risk of homelessness. To break this vicious cycle, Albany should invest in building 500 new re-entry apartments over the next three years, and should expand an existing housing program for people leaving city jails.

Since I took office, we have made substantial progress in driving down murders and shootings in Manhattan, but the rise in felony assaults remains a persistent challenge. To reverse the post-Covid rise in random assaults of and by people with untreated mental illness, prevention-oriented investments are critical; enforcement has little deterrence value for crimes committed by those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Following his brush with death at the hands of Izola Ware Curry, King recognized treatment as the best path to keep those with mental illness, and those around them, safe. With assaults like the one King suffered becoming more common, our leaders in Albany must heed his call today and invest in a comprehensive mental health network.

Now is the time for action to address our mental health emergency.

Alvin L. Bragg Jr. is the Manhattan district attorney.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

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  • Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough, and a Stellar Young Cast Make <i>Under the Bridge</i> More Than Just Another ‘Dead-Girl Show’

Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough, and a Stellar Young Cast Make Under the Bridge More Than Just Another ‘Dead-Girl Show’

T here are so many cop shows. So many murder shows. So many shows about innocent dead girls who turn out to be less innocent than they looked. Most are pointless wallows in the suffering of others, real or fictional. A precious few— Twin Peaks , Sharp Objects —transcend the clichés of an overplayed genre through artful storytelling and thematic depth. Hulu ’s Under the Bridge , premiering April 17, doesn’t reach the latter series’ heights. But thoughtful, empathetic writing and excellent performances make it more than just another dead-girl show.

On the evening of Nov. 14, 1997, 14-year-old Reena Virk joined a gathering of teens near a bridge in Saanich, British Columbia and never came home. Under the Bridge adapts, with some creative license, the true-crime book about Reena’s case by Rebecca Godfrey, played in the series by executive producer Riley Keough . A writer who grew up in the area but hasn’t visited in years, for reasons that seem related to her brother’s death when they were kids, Rebecca is here to research a book she’s calling Victoria Girls . She starts poking around the local girls’ group home, Seven Oaks, just in time to get the scoop on Reena’s (Vritika Gupta) disappearance.

Under The Bridge

Hers is just one of many perspectives through which the show filters the crime. Killers of the Flower Moon Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone co-stars as Cam Bentland, a young cop working the case alongside her adoptive father, Roy Bentland (Matt Craven), a police chief with a habit of cutting corners and intimidating witnesses in order to achieve his desired results. Cam, who is Indigenous and spent part of her childhood at Seven Oaks, dreams of escaping this insular community through a transfer to Vancouver—one she’d be more likely to receive after cracking a high-profile case like Reena’s. Two of the frenemies Reena met up with at the bridge, Josephine Bell (Chloe Guidry) and Dusty Pace (Aiyana Goodfellow), live at Seven Oaks. Jo is the charismatic, mercurial queen bee, a girl obsessed with John Gotti and gangsta rap. Her best friend Kelly Ellard (Izzy G.) rounds out the pseudo-gang they’ve dubbed “Crip Mafia Cartel.”

Under the Bridge also spends plenty of time with the Virks, Jehovah’s Witnesses of Indian descent who are rocked by their daughter’s rebellion long before she vanishes. Reena fights constantly with her austere, religious mother, Suman ( Archie Panjabi ). After girls at school bully Reena for having hairy legs, Suman walks in on her shaving and declares that caring about something as worldly as what other kids think amounts to “paganism.” Under the Bridge creator Quinn Shephard ( Not Okay ) makes nuanced use of the Virks’ hybrid identities, contrasting the specific tensions within the household with the blunt prejudices they face in the community where Suman’s side of the family has lived for three generations. The series so effectively establishes this dynamic in the present that an episode devoted largely to tracing Reena’s roots, from her grandparents’ arrival in British Columbia to her parents’ courtship, feels redundant.

Under The Bridge

It isn’t the only instance where the show gives viewers too much information—perhaps in a well-intentioned attempt to do justice to the true story or the book by Godfrey, who died in 2022. It makes sense, for example, that Cam and Rebecca, who must now collaborate to uncover the truth, grew up together and have a complicated history. But Cam’s own backstory, with her father, has enough details and twists to fuel a miniseries of its own. And the timing of Rebecca’s return to her hometown, with a manuscript that couldn’t be more relevant to Reena’s case, reads as contrived. Under the Bridge can get goofy, too, in its depictions of the author at work. Watching her speak full paragraphs of grandiose prose into a recorder, it’s hard not to cringe.

Fortunately, the show is compelling enough to overcome an occasional silly moment. So many crime dramas from the past decade repeat the same pat takeaways about how race and class intersect with criminal justice systems, but Shephard avoids broad generalizations. She is alert to the specificity of not just Reena’s background, but also the diverse experiences of every other character caught up in her story. Stereotypes turn out to be red herrings, for investigators as well as viewers. Shephard is perceptive, too, about the way discrete social groups interact among themselves: small-town police, parents of various racial and socioeconomic statuses, teenage girls who think they’re tougher and meaner and more gangster than they really are.

Under The Bridge

The acting is even better than the writing. Gladstone’s Cam conceals a lifetime’s worth of anger—about her own upbringing, about her perennial outsider status—beneath an impassive exterior. Keough makes a wonderful morally questionable journalist, who manipulates Jo and drops acid with teen burnouts, in part because she still has yet to get over her own sullen goth phase but also because she convinced herself, back when she was the suspects’ age, that she is a bad person. The younger actors are just as remarkable. Guidry’s Jo is the kind of girl everyone has met, magnetic and terrifying at once. She’s the sun that Reena, Dusty, and Kelly revolve around, each in her own utterly convincing way. Euphoria ’s Javon “Wanna” Walton brings empathy to the difficult role of their friend Warren Glowatski. Through these performances, Under the Bridge subverts our assumptions to make a powerful distinction between what people say, what they do, how they’re perceived, and who they really are.

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‘under the bridge’ review: lily gladstone and riley keough star in hulu’s timid true-crime drama.

A cop and a writer investigate the 1997 murder of a 14-year-old girl in a Canadian town in this mystery based on the book by Rebecca Godfrey.

By Angie Han

Television Critic

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CHLOE GUIDRY, IZZY G., VRITIKA GUPTA, AIYANA GOODFELLOW

Deep into Hulu’s Under the Bridge , author Rebecca Godfrey ( Riley Keough ) defends the focus of her latest manuscript. “People can do horrible things, and that doesn’t make them inherently evil,” she insists. As she sees it, her book is simply challenging the reader to consider that an individual’s humanity is not defined by their worst deed.

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Creator Quinn Shephard has based her eight-episode miniseries on the book of the same title by the real-life Godfrey, about the 1997 death of 14-year-old Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta). Initially, the only cop in Reena’s sleepy Canadian town who takes her disappearance seriously is Cam ( Lily Gladstone ). The rest of the department, led by Cam’s father (Matt Craven), presume Reena’s simply run away, to the frustration of her parents, Suman (Archie Panjabi) and Manjit (Ezra Faroque Khan).

But as it becomes more obvious that something horrible has occurred, suspicion falls on a small clique of group-home teens who call themselves the Crip Mafia Cartel — but who are more commonly referred to by police as “Bic girls” because, as ringleader Josephine (Chloe Guidry) explains, they’re considered “disposable.”

It is largely through Rebecca’s eyes that we are made to understand the accused, the complicit and the guilty not just as potential suspects but individuals. Though Gladstone and Keough’s poignant chemistry grounds the story’s emotions, it’s their younger co-stars who truly get to shine. Guidry fills the screen as tough-talking Josephine, showing flashes of the vulnerable child still lurking beneath her wannabe-Gotti persona. Javon “Wanna” Walton brings a puppy-dog sweetness to Warren, an acquaintance of the girls who’s haunted by his memories of that night. Most heartbreaking of all is Aiyana Goodfellow as Reena’s friend Dusty; she plays the character’s growing panic and despair with a rawness that’s hard to watch and even harder to ignore.

For roughly the drama’s first half, the goal seems to be to push back on the idea that some kids are simply monsters. No matter what they’ve done, Under the Bridge asks us to remember, these are children, and vulnerable ones at that — cast aside by their families, failed by the system, deemed worthless by a society that reflexively assumes the worst of people on the margins.

Meanwhile, Reena herself gets lost in the shuffle, despite copious flashbacks that detail not only the months leading up to her death but the decades of family history that came before. As charming as Gupta is onscreen, the writing rarely transcends a generic portrait of adolescent angst. Suman is at least more textured — Panjabi is heartbreaking as a mother mourning not only the loss of her daughter, but the chance to repair a relationship that had recently fallen apart over a disastrous effort by Reena to break free of Suman’s strict Jehovah’s Witness values.

But the script’s halfhearted suggestions that race or religion may have been factors in Reena’s killings peter out the same way everything else about the show does, with a timid shrug. Who killed Reena, and how, Under the Bridge does eventually tell you. Why it happened, it dares only to ask — but not, in the end, to answer.

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NPR suspends veteran editor as it grapples with his public criticism

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David Folkenflik

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NPR suspended senior editor Uri Berliner for five days without pay after he wrote an essay accusing the network of losing the public's trust and appeared on a podcast to explain his argument. Uri Berliner hide caption

NPR suspended senior editor Uri Berliner for five days without pay after he wrote an essay accusing the network of losing the public's trust and appeared on a podcast to explain his argument.

NPR has formally punished Uri Berliner, the senior editor who publicly argued a week ago that the network had "lost America's trust" by approaching news stories with a rigidly progressive mindset.

Berliner's five-day suspension without pay, which began last Friday, has not been previously reported.

Yet the public radio network is grappling in other ways with the fallout from Berliner's essay for the online news site The Free Press . It angered many of his colleagues, led NPR leaders to announce monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage, and gave fresh ammunition to conservative and partisan Republican critics of NPR, including former President Donald Trump.

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo is among those now targeting NPR's new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the network. Among others, those posts include a 2020 tweet that called Trump racist and another that appeared to minimize rioting during social justice protests that year. Maher took the job at NPR last month — her first at a news organization .

In a statement Monday about the messages she had posted, Maher praised the integrity of NPR's journalists and underscored the independence of their reporting.

"In America everyone is entitled to free speech as a private citizen," she said. "What matters is NPR's work and my commitment as its CEO: public service, editorial independence, and the mission to serve all of the American public. NPR is independent, beholden to no party, and without commercial interests."

The network noted that "the CEO is not involved in editorial decisions."

In an interview with me later on Monday, Berliner said the social media posts demonstrated Maher was all but incapable of being the person best poised to direct the organization.

"We're looking for a leader right now who's going to be unifying and bring more people into the tent and have a broader perspective on, sort of, what America is all about," Berliner said. "And this seems to be the opposite of that."

ielts essays on crime

Conservative critics of NPR are now targeting its new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the public radio network last month. Stephen Voss/Stephen Voss hide caption

Conservative critics of NPR are now targeting its new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the public radio network last month.

He said that he tried repeatedly to make his concerns over NPR's coverage known to news leaders and to Maher's predecessor as chief executive before publishing his essay.

Berliner has singled out coverage of several issues dominating the 2020s for criticism, including trans rights, the Israel-Hamas war and COVID. Berliner says he sees the same problems at other news organizations, but argues NPR, as a mission-driven institution, has a greater obligation to fairness.

"I love NPR and feel it's a national trust," Berliner says. "We have great journalists here. If they shed their opinions and did the great journalism they're capable of, this would be a much more interesting and fulfilling organization for our listeners."

A "final warning"

The circumstances surrounding the interview were singular.

Berliner provided me with a copy of the formal rebuke to review. NPR did not confirm or comment upon his suspension for this article.

In presenting Berliner's suspension Thursday afternoon, the organization told the editor he had failed to secure its approval for outside work for other news outlets, as is required of NPR journalists. It called the letter a "final warning," saying Berliner would be fired if he violated NPR's policy again. Berliner is a dues-paying member of NPR's newsroom union but says he is not appealing the punishment.

The Free Press is a site that has become a haven for journalists who believe that mainstream media outlets have become too liberal. In addition to his essay, Berliner appeared in an episode of its podcast Honestly with Bari Weiss.

A few hours after the essay appeared online, NPR chief business editor Pallavi Gogoi reminded Berliner of the requirement that he secure approval before appearing in outside press, according to a copy of the note provided by Berliner.

In its formal rebuke, NPR did not cite Berliner's appearance on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation program last Tuesday night, for which NPR gave him the green light. (NPR's chief communications officer told Berliner to focus on his own experience and not share proprietary information.) The NPR letter also did not cite his remarks to The New York Times , which ran its article mid-afternoon Thursday, shortly before the reprimand was sent. Berliner says he did not seek approval before talking with the Times .

NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

Berliner says he did not get permission from NPR to speak with me for this story but that he was not worried about the consequences: "Talking to an NPR journalist and being fired for that would be extraordinary, I think."

Berliner is a member of NPR's business desk, as am I, and he has helped to edit many of my stories. He had no involvement in the preparation of this article and did not see it before it was posted publicly.

In rebuking Berliner, NPR said he had also publicly released proprietary information about audience demographics, which it considers confidential. He said those figures "were essentially marketing material. If they had been really good, they probably would have distributed them and sent them out to the world."

Feelings of anger and betrayal inside the newsroom

His essay and subsequent public remarks stirred deep anger and dismay within NPR. Colleagues contend Berliner cherry-picked examples to fit his arguments and challenge the accuracy of his accounts. They also note he did not seek comment from the journalists involved in the work he cited.

Morning Edition host Michel Martin told me some colleagues at the network share Berliner's concerns that coverage is frequently presented through an ideological or idealistic prism that can alienate listeners.

"The way to address that is through training and mentorship," says Martin, herself a veteran of nearly two decades at the network who has also reported for The Wall Street Journal and ABC News. "It's not by blowing the place up, by trashing your colleagues, in full view of people who don't really care about it anyway."

Several NPR journalists told me they are no longer willing to work with Berliner as they no longer have confidence that he will keep private their internal musings about stories as they work through coverage.

"Newsrooms run on trust," NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben tweeted last week, without mentioning Berliner by name. "If you violate everyone's trust by going to another outlet and sh--ing on your colleagues (while doing a bad job journalistically, for that matter), I don't know how you do your job now."

Berliner rejected that critique, saying nothing in his essay or subsequent remarks betrayed private observations or arguments about coverage.

Other newsrooms are also grappling with questions over news judgment and confidentiality. On Monday, New York Times Executive Editor Joseph Kahn announced to his staff that the newspaper's inquiry into who leaked internal dissent over a planned episode of its podcast The Daily to another news outlet proved inconclusive. The episode was to focus on a December report on the use of sexual assault as part of the Hamas attack on Israel in October. Audio staffers aired doubts over how well the reporting stood up to scrutiny.

"We work together with trust and collegiality everyday on everything we produce, and I have every expectation that this incident will prove to be a singular exception to an important rule," Kahn wrote to Times staffers.

At NPR, some of Berliner's colleagues have weighed in online against his claim that the network has focused on diversifying its workforce without a concomitant commitment to diversity of viewpoint. Recently retired Chief Executive John Lansing has referred to this pursuit of diversity within NPR's workforce as its " North Star ," a moral imperative and chief business strategy.

In his essay, Berliner tagged the strategy as a failure, citing the drop in NPR's broadcast audiences and its struggle to attract more Black and Latino listeners in particular.

"During most of my tenure here, an open-minded, curious culture prevailed. We were nerdy, but not knee-jerk, activist, or scolding," Berliner writes. "In recent years, however, that has changed."

Berliner writes, "For NPR, which purports to consider all things, it's devastating both for its journalism and its business model."

NPR investigative reporter Chiara Eisner wrote in a comment for this story: "Minorities do not all think the same and do not report the same. Good reporters and editors should know that by now. It's embarrassing to me as a reporter at NPR that a senior editor here missed that point in 2024."

Some colleagues drafted a letter to Maher and NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, seeking greater clarity on NPR's standards for its coverage and the behavior of its journalists — clearly pointed at Berliner.

A plan for "healthy discussion"

On Friday, CEO Maher stood up for the network's mission and the journalism, taking issue with Berliner's critique, though never mentioning him by name. Among her chief issues, she said Berliner's essay offered "a criticism of our people on the basis of who we are."

Berliner took great exception to that, saying she had denigrated him. He said that he supported diversifying NPR's workforce to look more like the U.S. population at large. She did not address that in a subsequent private exchange he shared with me for this story. (An NPR spokesperson declined further comment.)

Late Monday afternoon, Chapin announced to the newsroom that Executive Editor Eva Rodriguez would lead monthly meetings to review coverage.

"Among the questions we'll ask of ourselves each month: Did we capture the diversity of this country — racial, ethnic, religious, economic, political geographic, etc — in all of its complexity and in a way that helped listeners and readers recognize themselves and their communities?" Chapin wrote in the memo. "Did we offer coverage that helped them understand — even if just a bit better — those neighbors with whom they share little in common?"

Berliner said he welcomed the announcement but would withhold judgment until those meetings played out.

In a text for this story, Chapin said such sessions had been discussed since Lansing unified the news and programming divisions under her acting leadership last year.

"Now seemed [the] time to deliver if we were going to do it," Chapin said. "Healthy discussion is something we need more of."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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Taylor swift fans bilked estimated £1m by ticket scammers for uk eras tour concerts, lloyds warns, mark gatiss writing & starring in uktv drama about crime-solving bookshop owner.

By Jesse Whittock , Max Goldbart

Mark Gatiss (center) and the cast of 'Bookish'

EXCLUSIVE: Sherlock star Mark Gatiss is writing and starring in a British TV drama about a bookshop owner who helps police solve crimes.

Bookish will be a six-part series for UKTV crime drama network Alibi set in post-war London in 1946. Gatiss, the co-creator of BBC shows such as Sherlock and The League of Gentlemen and Netflix/BBC’s Dracula and actor in films including Operation Mincemeat and Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning , is the creator.

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Starring alongside Gatiss is Polly Walker  ( Bridgerton , Line of Duty ), who plays Book’s colourful wife Trottie. She is charismatic and adventurous, owns a wallpaper shop next door and loves Book deeply but not physically. They shares a ‘lavender’ marriage, which helps conceals Book’s sexual orientation at a time when it was illegal to be gay.

Guest stars include  Joely Richardson  ( The Gentleman , The Ballad of Renegade Nell ) ,  Daniel Mays  ( The Long Shadow, Code 404 ) and Jonas Nay ( Deutschland 83 , Concordia ). Other core cast members include Connor Finch ( Everything I Know About Love ) as Jack, Olivier award-winner Elliot Levey ( We Were the Lucky Ones , Quiz ) as Inspector Bliss and Buket Kömür ( Our House ) as Nora.

Each case will span two 70-minute episodes and will, according to producers marry “post-war nostalgia with the reckless and life-affirming atmosphere of the times.”

Hotel Portofino producer Eagle Eye Drama is attached to make the show, which has a 2025 airdate on Alibi. Germany’s Beta Film has international distribution rights. The series is produced in association with Belgium-based Happy Duck Films, which is part of the Eagle Eye stable, and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter. 

UKTV Head of Drama Helen Perry produced commissioned the show, which was ordered by Alibi Channel Director Emma Ayech. The BBC Studios-owned broadcaster is behind crime shows such as the Nicola Walker-starring Annika , Molly Windsor and Martin Compston vehicle Traces and the Barcelona-set drama The Diplomat .

“UKTV is the home for writers’ passion projects, and we are so proud to be working with the exceptionally talented Mark Gatiss on his, along with the effervescent team at Eagle Eye,” said Perry. “Mark’s unique detective thriller is full of wit and heart, with a central platonic love story that is sure to enthral audiences. And because Book is a gay man, at a time when it was illegal to be so, we are proud that the drama shines a light on an important LGBTQ+ story. The star-studded cast Eagle Eye have already put together is tribute to the sure-fire hit  Bookish is to become.”

“To misquote  Goodfellas : ‘All my life I’ve wanted to be a detective!’,” said Gatiss. “I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this series to the screen, and to plunge viewers into our intoxicating version of post-War London. It’s an under-examined time and an under-examined world and  Bookish  is the strange, funny and thrilling show that I’ve always wanted to make.”

McGrath, Chief Creative Officer for Eagle Eye Drama, added: “There are some characters, some ideas that just leap off the page and demand to be realised. Book, Trottie and the clever crimes Mark Gatiss has woven around the precinct of Archangel Lane is one of those projects. The answer to every crime can be found in a book and in  Bookish , Mark Gatiss has created a unique, memorable and stand out new detective series.”

Beta’s Chief Distribution Officer, Oliver Bachert, said the show was “sure to become a great example of a sophisticated crime drama and instant classic for audiences around the world.”

Gatiss is repped by Curtis Brown for acting and by PBJ Management for writing. Walker is repped by The Artists Partnership.

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  1. Crime & Punishment Essay Titles

    IELTS Essay Questions for the Topic of Crime & Punishment. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and seem to have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the years the questions were reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below.

  2. Crime Essays

    joylcd - IELTS Essay - Ways to Reduce Crime by: Anonymous Certain people believe that a longer life imprisonment is the best possible way to eliminate the increasing criminality rate in our society, however, some believe that there are other ways to reduce the crime rate. In my opinion, it is necessary that the government will focus more about ...

  3. IELTS Essays About Crime

    Discuss both views and give your opinion. Some people think that the government should be responsible for reducing crime, where as others believe individuals should take responsibility for their own safety and security. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to hand out longer prison ...

  4. 50 Latest Crime IELTS Topics

    Many people today worried about cyber crime . Cause and solution discuss. the chart below shows the changes that took place in three different areas of crime in Newport City centre from 2002-2012. summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

  5. Crime and Punishment [IELTS Topics]

    Crime and Punishment IELTS Essay Topics. This topic is much more common in the writing exam than other parts because it requires the expression of complex ideas. As such, you will see many IELTS writing task 2 questions about crime and punishment. Common sub-topics include: young people and crime; capital punishment; reasons for criminal behaviour

  6. IELTS Topic: Crime

    IELTS Essay: Crime and Human Nature. This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of crime and whether it is a product of nature or nurture. These kinds of topics are really common on IELTS so it is good practice for you to read my sample answer below. If you don't want to miss out on ….

  7. Crime and punishment IELTS model essay with vocabulary

    This IELTS essay on crime and punishment explores the advantages and disadvantages of harsh punishment for criminals. Our band nine sample essays give you the opportunity to learn from successful essays that show off the best structure, vocabulary and grammar. This IELTS essay on crime and punishment explores the advantages and disadvantages of ...

  8. IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Many offenders commit more crimes after

    In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. ... Other essays related to Crime and Punishment. There are also other related essays that you can make use of while practicing for writing task 2 essays. The list is given below:

  9. IELTS Sample Writing Task 2

    For a model band 9 IELTS writing sample, click here. For a FREE ebook of our top 10 sample task 2 essays, click here! For more help with your IELTS task 2 preparation, take a look at our tutorials to help prepare for the IELTS exam: IELTS writing task 2 questions. Get ideas for your task 2. Full guide to academic collocations for task 2.

  10. 50 Latest Crimes IELTS Topics

    50 Latest Crimes IELTS Topics. Get a band score and detailed report instantly. Check your IELTS essays right now! Some people think all lawbreakers should be sent to prison, while others think there are better alternatives for those whose crimes are minor, such as making them do work for the local community.

  11. IELTS Essay About Crime

    Give a general statement that covers the background of the issue. Outline my essay and give my opinion. Body paragraph 1. Topic sentence - some crimes are the result of innate characteristics. Explain this Give an example - violent crimes. Show that this is hard to prove and may overlap with circumstances. Body paragraph 2.

  12. Sample Essay on Rising Crime Rates

    Introduction. Introduce the topic (rising crime rates) Briefly outline my essay. Body paragraph 1. Note that there are different reasons in different places. Explain why urbanisation may be to blame (lack of accountability and social values) Other issues: unemployment, drugs, gangs. Body paragraph 2.

  13. Crime Based Opinion Essay in IELTS: Here's all about the IELTS Writing

    The IELTS writing section is divided into two parts, Task 1 and Task 2. The IELTS writing task 2 consists of 66% of your marks in this section. You must allocate at least forty minutes to writing it. The essay contains at least 250 words. You will be marked on the response to the question you give, the coherence and cohesion of your answer, the ...

  14. IELTS Essay # 287

    IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay: You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account ...

  15. IELTS Essays: What is the best way to reduce crime?

    IELTS Essays - Reducing Crime. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  16. Crime IELTS Topic Ideas, Vocabulary and Sample Answers

    Subscribe: RSS. In this tutorial, we discuss crime IELTS Topic Ideas, grammar, vocabulary and sample answers. We look at: Specific vocabulary, collocations, and phrases related to crime. What are cleft sentences and how to use it in the IELTS Topic crime. Model essay on the Pros and cons of imprisonment versus rehabilitation.

  17. IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 1

    IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 1 - Crime. In this post, we will look at a cause/effect essay example from the IELTS writing task 2 test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various ...

  18. Crime

    Crime | IELTS Problem/Solution Essay Sample. In this post, we will look at a problem/solution essay example from the IELTS writing task 2 test. Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the topics are. There are so many questions written each year, you may find your practice answering various ...

  19. IELTS Essay: Rise in crime-rate among teenagers

    Band 9 IELTS essay sample. The number of teens who gets involved in criminal activities is on the rise. This is quite distressing because teenage is a wonderful period of life when children should be busy working towards building a flourishing career and a secure future. There are many reasons for this increase in crime rate among teenagers.

  20. IELTS Sample Essay: Popularity of Crime Novels and TV Dramas

    In this post, I'm going to write an IELTS sample essay in response to a task published in Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training. It's a question about the popularity of crime novels and crime dramas on TV. Contents show. As with my other IELTS sample essays, I'm going to use my 5 Step Approach for planning and writing an IELTS Writing Task ...

  21. IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further

    IELTS essay, topic: Despite the benefits of walking, very few people walk nowadays (reasons and solutions) This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test... Show comments 2 thoughts on "IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further crime after their release (reasons and solutions)"

  22. IELTS vocabulary: crime and punishment

    Updated: April 7th 2022. In IELTS writing task 2 various topics come up, such as the environment, family, society, work, technology, education, food and diet, health, sports and sometimes crime. The topic of crime is difficult for many students as there is so much vocabulary surrounding this.

  23. What Martin Luther King Jr. Knew About Crime and Mental Illness

    By Alvin L. Bragg Jr. Mr. Bragg Jr. is the Manhattan district attorney. In September 1958, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was stabbed with a seven-inch steel letter opener. He had been ...

  24. 'Under the Bridge' Is More Than the Typical 'Dead-Girl Show'

    But thoughtful, empathetic writing and excellent performances make it more than just another dead-girl show. On the evening of Nov. 14, 1997, 14-year-old Reena Virk joined a gathering of teens ...

  25. 'Under the Bridge' Review: Lily Gladstone in Hulu's True Crime Drama

    A cop and a writer investigate the 1997 murder of a 14-year-old girl in a Canadian town in this mystery based on the book by Rebecca Godfrey. Deep into Hulu's Under the Bridge, author Rebecca ...

  26. NPR Editor Uri Berliner suspended after essay criticizing network : NPR

    NPR suspended senior editor Uri Berliner for five days without pay after he wrote an essay accusing the network of losing the public's trust and appeared on a podcast to explain his argument. Uri ...

  27. IELTS Writing 2024」をApp Storeで

    The purpose of the IELTS Writing application is to provide helpful and trending materials and resources for self-study of IELTS. You will have access to interactive preparation materials and relevant samples, which cover writing tests for both IELTS Academic and General Training exams. - Letter samples. - Graph samples. - Essay samples. - Lessons.

  28. Mark Gatiss Writing & Starring In UKTV Crime Drama 'Bookish'

    EXCLUSIVE: Sherlock star Mark Gatiss is writing and starring in a British TV drama about a bookshop owner who helps police solve crimes. Bookish will be a six-part series for UKTV crime drama ...