Key Ideas: Safety. Justice. Power.
Focus Vocabulary
- Crime prevention
- BrE /kraɪm prɪˈven.ʃən/
- AmE /kraɪm prɪˈven.ʃən/
Definition: Actions and strategies used to stop crimes from happening.
Easy Explanation: Ways to stop bad things like theft or violence before they occur.
Example Sentence: “Neighborhood watch programs are important for crime prevention.”
2. Law enforcement
- BrE /lɔːr ɪnˈfɔːs.mənt/
- AmE /lɔːr ɪnˈfɔːrs.mənt/
Definition: The work of police and other officers to make sure laws are obeyed.
Easy Explanation: Police and officers who keep people safe by stopping crimes.
Example Sentence: “Effective law enforcement reduces crime rates in cities.”
3. Deterrent
- BrE /dɪˈter.ənt/
- AmE /dɪˈter.ənt/
Definition: Something that makes people less likely to do something bad.
Easy Explanation: A warning or punishment that stops people from doing crimes.
Example Sentence: “Harsh punishments act as a deterrent to crime.”
4. Rehabilitation
- BrE /ˌriː.həˌbɪl.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
- AmE /ˌriː.həˌbɪl.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
Definition: Helping criminals change their behavior so they can live a good life.
Easy Explanation: Teaching or helping people in prison to stop bad behavior.
Example Sentence: “Rehabilitation programs help prisoners return to society safely.”
IELTS Speaking Challenge
Warm-Up Questions:
- What strategies are used in your country to reduce crime?
- Should punishment be more important than rehabilitation?
- What role does education play in preventing crime?
Band 6 Style Example:
“Police catch people who do bad things. But maybe we should help people not do crime first.”
Band 7 Style Example (simplified for Band 6 learners):
“Law enforcement is important, but real crime prevention also needs education and support to stop people from doing crimes again.”
Try This Speaking Frame:
“In my view, ___ is necessary for public safety, but without ___ and long-term support like ___, crime may continue to rise.”
Example:
“In my view, strong law enforcement is necessary for public safety, but without education and long-term support like job training, crime may continue to rise.”
IELTS Writing Challenge
Task 2 Prompt:
Some people believe the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others think education and rehabilitation are more effective.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 7 Sample (simplified for Band 6 learners):
“Some people think longer prison sentences stop crime because they scare people. But others say this does not help in the long term. Education and job training help people change and not do crimes again. I think we need both — strong punishment and good support to help people stay away from crime.”
Structure Plan:
- Introduction – explain both sides
- Paragraph 1 – why longer sentences may work
- Paragraph 2 – why education and rehab may be better
- Conclusion – say the best way is a mix of both
Use These Words:
- Crime prevention
- Deterrent
- Law enforcement
- Rehabilitation
Grammar Focus: Passive Voice in Crime and Justice
Structure Examples:
- is enforced
- is sentenced
- is rehabilitated
- has been charged
Sentences:
- “Strict laws are enforced to protect public safety.”
- “The man was sentenced to five years in prison.”
- “Rehabilitation programmes are being used in some cities.”
Practice – Rewrite:
Original: Police caught him. They gave him a sentence.
Rewrite: He was caught and sentenced by the police.
Your Turn – Use these words in the passive voice:
- charged
- released
- rehabilitated
- enforced
Example:
“The young man was charged but later released after a short sentence.”
Tip: Passive voice helps you describe actions without always focusing on who did them. This is common in law and policy writing.
Rewrite Challenge
Question:
What’s the best way to reduce crime?
Sentence Plan:
- Longer prison sentences may act as a deterrent.
- However, this approach often ignores the root causes of crime.
- If more money were invested in rehabilitation, repeat offences would drop.
- I believe crime prevention must focus on both law enforcement and long-term reform.
Your Task:
Write 4 clear and powerful sentences using today’s vocabulary and the passive voice.
Example:
“Many people are sent to prison, but few are fully rehabilitated. Strong laws are enforced, yet education is often forgotten. More funds should be invested in community programmes. In the end, a mix of support and control is needed.”
Final Reflection
✔️ You’ve just:
- Learned useful vocabulary about crime, justice, and safety
- Practiced speaking and writing using clear, structured arguments
- Used the passive voice to explain justice systems
- Discussed both punishment and support in a balanced way
You’re not only preparing for the IELTS test — you’re learning how to talk about what makes society safer and stronger.
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