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IELTS tips - writing tips – issue 7: Task 2

In both the Academic and General Training versions of the exam, the second part of the written paper is a discussion essay. You are given an opinion, a point of view or a problem, and you have to present and justify your opinion in an organised essay. You have to write at least 250 words, and you should spend no longer than 40 minutes on the task. The topic could relate to anything that a normal adult could be expected to discuss, for example:

You need to include opinions, reasons, real examples and linking language, and you have to use paragraphs.

This week, we are going to look at an essay dealing with crime and punishment.

Task 1:Crime and Punishment Vocabulary

Before you look at the model essay, look at some of the key language below. Can you match it to its definition?

1.Inmate ___

2.Murderer ___

3.Petty criminals ___

4.Burglar ___

5.Shoplifter ___

6.Deterrent ___

7.Behind bars ___

A.a thief who enters a building with intent to steal

B.a criminal who kills another human being

C.someone involved in minor crimes

D.something that persuades people not to commit a crime

E.in prison

F.a person who is confined in a prison

G.a thief who steals from a shop that is open

Read the sample task below carefully. Before you read the model answer, highlight the keywords. Think about your own opinion, and what examples you can think of that support your ideas, either in Taiwan or elsewhere.

Sample Task

The role of prisons should be to punish criminals, who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Present your ideas and opinions with examples where necessary.

You should write at least 250 words

Model Answer

Task 2: The paragraphs in the model answer contain the information shown in the table, but they are in the wrong order. Read each paragraph, and then write the letter into the second column of the table. Do not worry about the blank at the beginning of each paragraph yet.

Paragraph content

Task 2:
Paragraph

Task 3:
Signposting language

Background information

Arguments against education

Arguments in favour of helping some criminals

Further arguments in favour, with examples of different countries

Summary of main points

Model Answer 2

A. _______________, many people would disagree with the idea that prisons should play no educational role at all. It may be true that serious criminals, such as murderers, deserve little sympathy, but that does not mean that people who have committed less serious crimes should be given no help to re-enter society. By giving petty criminals, such as burglars or shoplifters an alternative trade, education programmes can also help to make society safer in the future, as these criminals will not be forced to re-offend to make a living.

B. _______________, many countries offer training and educational courses which provide practical skills, such as plumbing or carpentry. While doing this has clear benefits for the prisoners, who will have new skills when they leave prison, does spending money in this way really benefit society as a whole?

C. _______________, I think that, while it is clear prison does need to deter people from committing crime, in the long run, re-training programmes are better for society as a whole as they help criminals move away from a life of crime.

D. _______________ that offering any kind of training to prisoners is an inappropriate use of public funds. They think that, although training courses benefit the inmate, time spent in prison should be used by prisoners to think about the damage they have done to society. Furthermore, if prisons provide too many benefits, they may be seen as holiday camps, and thus fail to deter people from committing crime.

E. _______________ in favour of education is that using prison simply as a deterrent does not seem to work. It is well known, for example, that the United States has by far the largest number of people behind bars in the world. However, the crime rate in the US remains much higher than in countries, such as Sweden, where the focus is on helping people re-enter society.

Task 3: Signposting language

It is important to use signposting expressions to introduce paragraphs. These let the reader know where your argument is going. The following language has been removed from the beginning of each paragraph. Match the language to the appropriate paragraph and add it to the third column in the table.

Answer 2

Below is a weaker answer. Read it and think of five reasons why it would not get a good score.

The role of prisons should be to punish criminals, who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money. To what extent I agree or disagree with this statement is to be discussed in this essay.

"Every coin has its two sides". So the wise man says. While there are incontrovertible truths proclaimed by one side on this issue, there are other counter arguments equally valid. To find the truth, we must explore each equally valid statement of belief.

Some people say training courses and education are a waste of money. They say it is useless. It just wastes money. Why should we pay tax, just to waste the money? On the other hand, training courses and education can help people. People can learn many things. Education is the key. Teach the children and let them lead the way, isn't it?

Having looked at both sides, I reaffirm that this is a contentious issue, worthy of more study. Neither side has the upper hand, but equally, neither can be discounted.

Problems with Answer 2

Answers

Task 1: 1. F, 2. B, 3. C, 4. A, 5. G, 6. D, 7. E

Task 2 & 3 (Completed Table)

Paragraph content

Task 2:
Paragraph

Task 3:
Signposting language

Background information

B

Nowadays

Arguments against education

D

Some people believe

Arguments in favour of helping some criminals

A

However

Further arguments in favour, with examples of different countries

E

Another argument

Summary of main points

C

In conclusion

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