This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer on the topic of crime TV shows from the real past IELTS exam/test.
It is a really interesting, really tough question.
I honestly don’t know why crime shows are so popular today. There are a lot of possible reasons and some of them may be true.
I just chose one reason and supported it full.
The real answer is fit for a book so just choose a simple reason and support it fully.
Read it below and check out my exclusive Patreon essays here!
Dave
Listen to the audio file before reading and take notes on the key vocabulary:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Crime TV Shows (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Watching TV shows and movies about crime is becoming more and more popular.
Why is this?
What effect does that have on society?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
Analysis
1. The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. 2. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
- Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
- Answer both questions directly.
1. The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. 2. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. 3. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. 4. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. 5. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Begin developing your main idea with specific details.
- Keep supporting your argument. Make sure your ideas are logical and link to the previous sentence.
- Conclude your argument – you don’t have to summarise the paragraph!
1. The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. 2. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. 3. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. 4. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. 5. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
- Write another clear and simple topic sentence.
- Again begin to develop it. I start here with a concession.
- Here I use an analogy to make my argument stronger.
- I also quote research which is a good way to add in support.
- I conclude by covering whether or not there is any positive impact.
1. In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. 2. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
- Repeat your answer to both questions to be 100% sure you get above band 5 for task achievement by fully answering the topic.
- Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
Answers
frenzy obsession with
question wonder about
origins source
morbid interest dark fascination
dispel dismiss
safely confirm without risk show the connection
psychological similarities same way of thinking
negligible not a major factor
mystery enigma/riddle
deeper not superficial
figuring out knowing
suspect who might have done it
real perpetrator actual guilty criminal
chiefly concerned mostly interested in
motive reason
compelling influential
complex personality archetypes complicated type of person
parse out break down
driven encouraged
human nature nature
expressing their desires differently sublimating
law-abiding citizens people who don’t break the law
qualitatively different a real distinction
average person common person
unequivocally differentiate definitely different
guilty did the crime
unconscious pleasure unacknowledged joy
identification relate to
vicarious living living through others
amount to adds up to
in the final analysis in the end
exceptions outside the norm
unhealthy obsession dark faschinations
isolates makes separate
claim say/think
excuses reasons
just as likely to occur equally possible it will happen
just as the same as
direct link clear cause/effect relationship
altering one’s outlook towards others being less empathetic
sample sizes a group representing a larger group
crimes taking place criminal acts happening
relative to in comparison to
exonerate clear of all wrong-doing
convict criminal
benign harmless
fascination interest in
object who/what is acted upon
Pronunciation
ˈfrɛnzi
ˈkwɛsʧən
ˈɒrɪʤɪnz
ˈmɔːbɪd ˈɪntrɪst
dɪsˈpɛl
ˈseɪfli kənˈfɜːm
ˌsaɪkəˈlɒʤɪkəl ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪtiz
ˈnɛglɪʤəbl
ˈmɪstəri
ˈdiːpə
ˈfɪgərɪŋ aʊt
ˈsʌspɛkt
rɪəl ˈpɜːpɪtreɪtə
ˈʧiːfli kənˈsɜːnd
ˈməʊtɪv
kəmˈpɛlɪŋ
ˈkɒmplɛks ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪti ˈɑːkɪtaɪps
pɑːz aʊt
ˈdrɪvn
ˈhjuːmən ˈneɪʧə
ɪksˈprɛsɪŋ ðeə dɪˈzaɪəz ˈdɪfrəntli
ˈlɔːəˌbaɪdɪŋ ˈsɪtɪznz
ˈkwɒlɪtətɪvli ˈdɪfrənt
ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsn
ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəli ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪeɪt
ˈgɪlti
ʌnˈkɒnʃəs ˈplɛʒə
aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən
vaɪˈkeərɪəs ˈlɪvɪŋ
əˈmaʊnt tuː
ɪn ðə ˈfaɪnl əˈnæləsɪs
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
ʌnˈhɛlθi əbˈsɛʃənz
ˈaɪsəleɪts
kleɪm
ɪksˈkjuːsɪz
ʤʌst æz ˈlaɪkli tuː əˈkɜː
ʤʌst æz
dɪˈrɛkt lɪŋk
ˈɔːltərɪŋ wʌnz ˈaʊtlʊk təˈwɔːdz ˈʌðəz
ˈsɑːmpl ˈsaɪzɪz
kraɪmz ˈteɪkɪŋ pleɪs
ˈrɛlətɪv tuː
ɪgˈzɒnəreɪt
ˈkɒnvɪkt
bɪˈnaɪn
ˌfæsɪˈneɪʃən
ˈɒbʤɪkt
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
The f______________ over crime shows in recent years has led many to q______________ both the o______________ of this m______________ and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to d______________ or s______________ p______________ with killers and the result for society will be n______________ in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The m______________ of these shows goes d______________ than f______________ which s______________ is the r______________. Audiences are c______________ with m______________ and the best shows analyse c______________, c______________. People can then try to p______________ whether or not these individuals are d______________ by h______________ and are just e______________ from l______________ or if they are q______________ from the a______________. Some watch to try to u______________ themselves while others experience a g______________, u______________ in i______________ and v______________.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will a______________ nothing i______________. There will be some e______________ where individuals develop an u______________ that i______________ them from normal society or c______________ them as e______________ for their own crimes but this is j______________ with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them j______________ they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any d______________ between watching crime shows and committing crimes or a______________ . Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the s______________ for the c______________ are too small r______________ the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to e______________ or c______________ themselves and it is a b______________ obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to f______________ than its o______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the video below from some ideas from a real psychologist:
Reading Practice
Here is an article about its effect for your other paragraph:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47474996
Speaking Practice
Answer these questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Crime
- Why do people commit crimes?
- How can criminals be rehabilitated?
- What is the purpose of punishment?
- Are punishment and revenge the same?
- Will crime become less common in the future?
Writing Practice
Write about the following topic then read my sample answer below:
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 Exam/Test
Nowadays, it is true that films and TV shows which are connected with violence are gaining popularity. Many people believe that the cause of this is the substantial entertainment we can get on watching crime-related scenes. However, I believe this kind of practice is detrimental in society for various reasons.
It is undeniable that TV programs and movies are interesting to watch as they brought us to a state of thrill and suspense, especially when they are about crimes. It is a way of escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life for many people as it gives a sense of enjoyment. One example of movies about the violence that can keep our attention from watching is the sequel of John Wick. This movie is about a man who is fighting through killing bad people for his own protection. With this, people can be entertained for the reason that they can experience the thrill of watching it.
However, though watching crime-related films and programs is somewhat entertaining, it can be disadvantageous if the viewers are too much attached to it. Firstly, people can adopt what they are seeing on television because they are taking up the behaviors of the characters, which is not good especially in children. Children are usually hungry for learning so the parents should be careful about letting their children watch this kind of act.
In conclusion, violent movies and TV shows are becoming more popular as time goes by because it is quite impossible to deny the fact that anyone can feel a sense of excitement in watching this. However, individuals should keep in mind that crime is immoral when applied in reality. I believe that people should just consider this act as a warning to take care of themselves.
Hi Jessica, good effort!
The idea that these films are thrilling that you develop in your second paragraph could be better developed. In fact, I think you want to say they are easy escapist entertainment.
Good specific example for that paragraph though – you just need more specific details and development around it!
In the third paragraph, it also needs more development and would benefit from a real or hypothetical example or more nuanced argument. It is also a vit short – almost the same length as your conclusion!
Thank you so much for always giving feedback on my essay! I hope that I am improving as time goes by to achieve 6.5 in writing.
Keep up the hard work and it is inevitable!
Nowadays, we can see rising popularity in crime novels and TV crime shows in the world. Viewers are attracted towards it because of excitement, thrill and suspense. In addition, it also provided good reflection of human justice. In my opinion this type of books and shows related to crime have both advantages and disadvantages on its audience.
A book or drama, seeking high rating, must be able to present all sequence acceptable and attractable to its audience. So, what is there in crime novels and crime shows? A well-presented sequence of an amusement, thrill and a suspense as a main weapon of attraction. As an instance, while watching Sherlock’s Holmes- a detective series, I was always in a hurry to watch the next episode. This is because they leave suspense in the end of first episode and moving deep inside the episodes, there are so much twists characters that would make series more interesting. Apart from the way of presentation, this types of books also shows people’s right to live in healthy and vibrant society.
However, popularity doesn’t meant that it always have advantages on the society. In the first hand, these types of writings and programs acts as a source of entertainment where people learn the ways of being safe, avoiding certain circumstance and know the power of law. However, if we take the flip side, this also motivates society towards the criminal activities. For an example, after reading the book on how a person was able to escape through a prison in South Africa, three criminals planned in the same way and they were able to succeed. In another instance, a robbery gang in India adopted the same method as shown in crime TV shows and left people terrified.
To recapitulate, although crime novels and TV shows have been flourishing rapidly due to nicely plotted exhilaration, thrill and twists, there are both positive and negative influences in the society. An explicit message must be clearly displayed to demotivate crime activities in the community.
Nice writing!
Careful with referencing – attrated to ‘them’, don’t use questions in your writing and keep writing long specific examples like you did!