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If you want to boost your IELTS score then expanding your vocabulary is the most important thing that you need to work on. A wide range of vocabulary is essential for achieving high scores in all sections of the IELTS exam. By learning these specific words and phrases, you'll enhance your Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills, making you more confident and prepared to approach any topic that comes your way. Read this blog to learn key crime IELTS vocabulary which can help you improve your performance and set you apart from other test-takers.
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Importance of using crime IELTS vocabulary
Using rich vocabulary related to crime and punishment in your IELTS test is crucial for several reasons. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Enhances communication clarity: A diverse vocabulary allows you to convey your ideas more clearly and precisely. For instance, instead of saying "theft," you can use terms like "burglary," "robbery," or "larceny," each with its specific meaning.
Lexical resource criterion: The IELTS exam evaluates your lexical resource, which includes the range of vocabulary you use. Demonstrating a strong command of crime and punishment-related terms can significantly boost your score in this criterion.
Relevance to topics: Crime and punishment are common topics in both the Academic and General Training modules. Being well-versed in related vocabulary prepares you for essays, speaking tasks, and reading passages that may cover these themes.
Enhances writing and speaking quality: Using varied and sophisticated vocabulary makes your writing and speaking more engaging and impressive. Instead of repeatedly using "crime," you can include terms like "offense," "misdemeanour," or "felony."
Demonstrates critical thinking: Discussing crime and punishment often involves complex ideas and opinions. Rich vocabulary enables you to discuss these nuances more effectively, showcasing your critical thinking skills.
List of crime IELTS vocabulary
Here is the list of crime and punishment IELTS vocabulary words with meaning and examples that you can consider using in your IELTS test to score higher:
Crime vocabulary Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Abduction | The act of taking someone away by force. | The police are investigating the abduction of a young girl. |
Accomplice | A person who helps another in committing a crime. | He was arrested as an accomplice in the bank robbery. |
Accusation | A charge or claim that someone has done something illegal. | She made a false accusation against her neighbour. |
Alibi | Evidence that someone was elsewhere when a crime was committed. | His alibi was that he was at a restaurant during the crime. |
Assault | A physical attack on someone. | He was charged with assault after the bar fight. |
Blackmail | The act of demanding money or another benefit from someone by threatening to reveal information about them. | The businessman was a victim of blackmail. |
Burglary | The act of illegally entering a building to commit a crime. | The house was empty during the burglary. |
Conviction | A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense. | He has a previous conviction for theft. |
Corruption | Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power. | The government official was accused of corruption. |
Custody | The state of being kept in prison, especially while waiting for trial. | The suspect was taken into custody. |
Defendant | An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law. | The defendant pleaded not guilty. |
Embezzlement | Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust. | The accountant was arrested for embezzlement. |
Felony | A serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment. | He was convicted of a felony. |
Fraud | Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. | He was charged with credit card fraud. |
Homicide | The deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another. | The police are investigating the homicide. |
Imprisonment | The state of being imprisoned. | He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. |
Indictment | A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. | The indictment was handed down by the grand jury. |
Juvenile | Relating to young people or minors. | The juvenile court deals with crimes committed by minors. |
Kidnapping | The act of abducting someone and holding them captive. | The child's kidnapping was reported to the police. |
Larceny | Theft of personal property. | He was found guilty of larceny. |
Manslaughter | The crime of killing a human being without malice aforethought. | He was charged with manslaughter instead of murder. |
Mugging | An act of attacking and robbing someone in a public place. | She was a victim of a mugging last night. |
Parole | The release of a prisoner temporarily or permanently before the completion of a sentence on the promise of good behaviour. | He was released on parole after serving 10 years. |
Perjury | The offense of wilfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath. | She was convicted of perjury. |
Probation | The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behaviour under supervision. | He was sentenced to two years of probation. |
Prosecution | The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge. | The prosecution presented its case to the jury. |
Robbery | The act of stealing from someone using force or the threat of force. | He was arrested for armed robbery. |
Sentence | The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court. | The judge handed down a life sentence. |
Theft | The action or crime of stealing. | He was accused of theft. |
Vandalism | The act of deliberately destroying or damaging public or private property. | The city has a problem with vandalism. |
Crime and punishment-related questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test
Here are some example questions related to crime and punishment that might be asked in the IELTS Speaking test as a topic:
Part 1: Introduction and interview
Do you think crime rates are higher today than in the past? Why or why not?
Is there a particular type of crime that you worry about in your community?
Have you ever witnessed a crime? How did it make you feel?
Do you think certain crimes should have more severe punishments than others? Why?
Part 2: Long turn (Cue Card)
You will be given a topic, and you need to speak about it for 1-2 minutes. You will have 1 minute to prepare.
Describe a crime you heard about recently. You should say:
What the crime was
Who was involved
What happened as a result
And explain how you felt about this crime.
Part 3: Discussion
What do you think are the main causes of crime in society?
Do you think that the media influences the way people perceive crime? How?
How effective do you think the legal system is in your country in dealing with crime?
What measures can governments take to reduce crime rates?
Do you think that community service is an effective punishment? Why or why not?
How do you think technology is impacting crime rates and law enforcement?
What role does education play in preventing crime?
Do you think that the death penalty is an effective crime deterrent? Why or why not?
How should young offenders be treated in the criminal justice system?
What impact do you think prison has on criminals? Does it rehabilitate or make them worse?
Hope these crime IELTS vocabulary words improve your language skills and help you effectively discuss crime and punishment-related questions asked in your IELTS exam. We recommend you include these words in your learning to score a high band in the IELTS test.
If you want to know more about the IELTS test, you can get in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre. Our team of IELTS experts will guide you with all your doubts.
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