This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer essay on the topic of crime and technology.

This is really efficient, important practice for you because it combines crime and technology – two really common topics on IELTS!

Read on for my sample answer essay, vocabulary, practice, and more!

Dave

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Crime & Technology (Real Past Tests)

The crime rate nowadays is decreasing compared to the past due to advances in technology.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Real Past IELTS Tests

It is often argued that precipitous global declines in crime are principally down to developments in technology. While advanced technology admittedly plays an integral role in crime reduction, I would argue education hits more directly at the cause of crime.

The biggest argument in favour of technology’s impact is the advent of forensic science. In the past, forensics was an unreliable soft science that included notoriously mistake prone practices such as a dental identification and blood splatter analysis. Over the last couple of decades it has grown into a much more accurate tool. Courts now rely heavily on DNA testing, which is nearly 100% conclusive in most cases. This has had a two-fold effect, allowing prosecutors to reopen and investigate cold cases as well as better prosecute and deter current criminals.

However, education still more powerfully underpins decreases in crime because it does more to eradicate poverty. Poverty is far and away the chief cause of crime. Take for example a country such as China, which has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, elevating millions formerly below the poverty line. Their economic rise has been followed by better educational standards which has trickled down into better employment opportunities for graduates. The crime rate in China has plummeted simply because far fewer people have the basic motivation, poverty, to commit crimes.

In conclusion, the impact of technology is negligible next to educational reform, which undermines the deepest roots of crime. Forward-looking countries that prioritise education will also reap benefits that extend well beyond the crime rate.

Analysis

1. It is often argued that precipitous global declines in crime are principally down to developments in technology. 2. While advanced technology admittedly plays an integral role in crime reduction, I would argue education hits more directly at the cause of crime.

  1. For your first sentence, paraphrase what the overall topic is.
  2. In the second sentence, clearly state your opinion.

1. The biggest argument in favour of technology’s impact is the advent of forensic science. 2. In the past, forensics was an unreliable soft science that included notoriously mistake prone practices such as a dental identification and blood splatter analysis. 3. Over the last couple of decades it has grown into a much more accurate tool. 4. Courts now rely heavily on DNA testing, which is nearly 100% conclusive in most cases. 5. This has had a two-fold effect, allowing prosecutors to reopen and investigate cold cases as well as better prosecute and deter current criminals.

  1. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that says your main idea.
  2. Give specific support. The more specific, the clearer your writing will be and the stronger your vocabulary.
  3. Continue to develop the same main idea.
  4. Give as much specific evidence/detail as you can to support the same main idea.
  5. Draw a conclusion or result to finish the paragraph.

1. However, education still more powerfully underpins decreases in crime because it does more to eradicate poverty. Poverty is far and away the chief cause of crime. 2. Take for example a country such as China, which has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, elevating millions formerly below the poverty line. 3. Their economic rise has been followed by better educational standards which has trickled down into better employment opportunities for graduates. 4. The crime rate in China has plummeted simply because far fewer people have the basic motivation, poverty, to commit crimes.

  1. Write another clear topic sentence.
  2. Start your example right away.
  3. Develop the same example.
  4. The more you develop the same example, the higher your task achievement score.

1. In conclusion, the impact of technology is negligible next to educational reform, which undermines the deepest roots of crime. 2. Forward-looking countries that prioritise education will also reap benefits that extend well beyond the crime rate.

  1. Restate your opinion – make sure it is the same as what you said in the introduction.
  2. Add in an extra detail or final thought to get full marks for task achievement.

Vocabulary

Figure out what the words in bold below mean based on the whole sentence:

It is often argued that precipitous global declines in crime are principally down to developments in technology. While advanced technology admittedly plays an integral role in crime reduction, I would argue education hits more directly at the cause of crime.

The biggest argument in favour of technology’s impact is the advent of forensic science. In the past, forensics was an unreliable soft science that included notoriously mistake prone practices such as a dental identification and blood splatter analysis. Over the last couple of decades it has grown into a much more accurate tool. Courts now rely heavily on DNA testing, which is nearly 100% conclusive in most cases. This has had a two-fold effect, allowing prosecutors to reopen and investigate cold cases as well as better prosecute and deter current criminals.

However, education still more powerfully underpins decreases in crime because it does more to eradicate poverty. Poverty is far and away the chief cause of crime. Take for example a country such as China, which has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, elevating millions formerly below the poverty line. Their economic rise has been followed by better educational standards which has trickled down into better employment opportunities for graduates. The crime rate in China has plummeted simply because far fewer people have the basic motivation, poverty, to commit crimes.

In conclusion, the impact of technology is negligible next to educational reform, which undermines the deepest roots of crime. Forward-looking countries that prioritise education will also reap benefits that extend well beyond the crime rate.

Answers

precipitous steep/fast

declines decreases

admittedly can’t debate

integral role important part

hits more directly is at the source of

in favour of over

advent beginning

forensic science crime scene investigation

unreliable soft science hard to trust methods

notoriously mistake prone practices famously makes bad mistakes/is unreliable

dental identification identifying people by their teeth/bites

blood splatter analysis using how blood lands as evidence

rely heavily depend on a lot

DNA testing strong physical evidence

100% conclusive unquestionable

two-fold effect double impact

prosecutors the lawyer who tries to convict

reopen open again

cold cases unsolved criminal cases

deter discourage

underpins serves as the basis for

eradicate poverty get rid of poor households

far and away by far/clearly

elevating lifting

below the poverty line poor

trickled down has an effect on

employment opportunities chances to get a job

plummeted decreased greatly

negligible little impact/meaningless

deepest roots source of

forward-looking countries progressive nations

prioritise emphasise

reap benefits get advantages from

well beyond not limited to

Pronunciation

prɪˈsɪpɪtəs 
dɪˈklaɪnz 
ədˈmɪtɪdli 
ˈɪntɪgrəl rəʊl 
hɪts mɔː dɪˈrɛktli
ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv
ˈædvənt 
fəˈrɛnsɪk ˈsaɪəns
ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl sɒft ˈsaɪəns
nəʊˈtɔːrɪəsli mɪsˈteɪk prəʊn ˈpræktɪsɪz
ˈdɛntl aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən 
blʌd ˈsplætər əˈnæləsɪs
rɪˈlaɪ ˈhɛvɪli 
diː-ɛn-eɪ ˈtɛstɪŋ
100% kənˈkluːsɪv 
tuː-fəʊld ɪˈfɛkt
ˈprɒsɪkjuːtəz 
ˌriːˈəʊpən 
kəʊld ˈkeɪsɪz 
dɪˈtɜː 
ˌʌndəˈpɪnz 
ɪˈrædɪkeɪt ˈpɒvəti
fɑːr ænd əˈweɪ 
ˈɛlɪveɪtɪŋ
bɪˈləʊ ðə ˈpɒvəti laɪn
ˈtrɪkld daʊn 
ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz 
ˈplʌmɪtɪd 
ˈnɛglɪʤəbl 
ˈdiːpɪst ruːts 
ˈfɔːwədˈlʊkɪŋ ˈkʌntriz 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz 
riːp ˈbɛnɪfɪts 
wɛl bɪˈjɒnd

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the vocabulary blanks:

It is often argued that _______________ global _______________ in crime are principally down to developments in technology. While advanced technology _______________ plays an _______________ in crime reduction, I would argue education _______________ at the cause of crime.

The biggest argument _______________ technology’s impact is the _______________ of _______________. In the past, forensics was an _______________ that included _______________ such as a _______________ and _______________. Over the last couple of decades it has grown into a much more accurate tool. Courts now _______________ on _______________, which is nearly _______________ in most cases. This has had a _______________, allowing _______________ to _______________ and investigate _______________ as well as better prosecute and _______________ current criminals.

However, education still more powerfully _______________ decreases in crime because it does more to _______________. Poverty is _______________ the chief cause of crime. Take for example a country such as China, which has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, _______________ millions formerly _______________. Their economic rise has been followed by better educational standards which has _______________ into better _______________ for graduates. The crime rate in China has _______________ simply because far fewer people have the basic motivation, poverty, to commit crimes.

In conclusion, the impact of technology is _______________ next to educational reform, which undermines the _______________ of crime. _______________ that _______________ education will also _______________ that extend _______________ the crime rate.

Listening Practice

Watch the video below to review some of the ideas from my essay and learn about how forensic science isn’t always accurate:

Reading Practice

Read the article below for an interesting, related story!

https://www.wired.com/story/dna-transfer-framed-murder/

Comment any questions that you have below!

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