IELTS Law Vocabulary - Band 7.0 Words, Collocations & Examples

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Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Prompt: Some people believe that laws should change to reflect the needs of a modern society. Others argue that laws should remain unchanged. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Response:

In today's world, there is a debate about whether laws should change or stay the same. On one hand, some people think laws should be updated to fit modern society. For example, technology has advanced quickly, and old laws may not cover new issues like cybercrime. Changing laws can help protect people better. On the other hand, others believe laws should stay the same because they provide stability. For instance, basic laws about not stealing or hurting others have been around for a long time and work well. In my opinion, laws should be updated when necessary, but only after careful consideration.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but lacks development and supporting ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but lacks clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Attempts to use some less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracies.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors that may impede communication.

Band 7.0 Answer

Prompt: Some people believe that laws should change to reflect the needs of a modern society. Others argue that laws should remain unchanged. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Response:

The debate surrounding the amendment of laws to align with contemporary societal needs is multifaceted. Proponents of legal reform argue that statutes must evolve to address modern challenges. For instance, the advent of digital technology has necessitated legislation to combat cybercrime, an area largely unaddressed by antiquated laws. Furthermore, societal values shift over time, and laws should reflect these changes to maintain their relevance. Conversely, proponents of legal stability contend that certain principles, such as those prohibiting theft or violence, are timeless and should remain unchanged. They argue that frequent legal amendments can create uncertainty and undermine the rule of law. In my view, a balanced approach is necessary, where laws are periodically reviewed and updated only when compelling evidence demonstrates their inadequacy.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively, though some may be mechanical.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but generally communicates clearly.

Band 8.0 Answer

Prompt: Some people believe that laws should change to reflect the needs of a modern society. Others argue that laws should remain unchanged. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Response:

The question of whether laws should be amended to reflect contemporary societal needs or remain unchanged is a contentious one. Advocates for legal reform posit that statutes must adapt to address emerging issues. The rapid proliferation of technology, for example, has created new legal challenges such as data privacy and cybersecurity, which existing legislation often fails to address adequately. Moreover, societal norms and values evolve over time, and laws must keep pace to maintain their legitimacy and effectiveness. Conversely, those who advocate for legal stability argue that certain fundamental principles, such as the prohibition of harm and theft, are universal and should remain unchanged. They contend that frequent legal amendments can lead to instability and undermine public confidence in the legal system. In my opinion, a judicious approach is required, where laws are subject to regular review and amended only when there is compelling evidence of their inadequacy. This approach ensures that the law remains relevant and effective while maintaining the stability and predictability that are essential for a functioning society.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas, using a mix of ideas and examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a range of cohesive devices effectively, though some may be overused.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary to convey ideas precisely, including some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with flexibility and accuracy, though some errors may still occur.

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/Collocation | Definition | Example Collocation | |-----------------|------------|--------------------| | Statutory | Required, justified, or authorized by statute | statutory law, statutory instrument | Jurisdiction | The official power to make legal decisions and judgments | jurisdiction of the court, extraterritorial jurisdiction | Precedent | A previous case or decision that is used as an example or guide | legal precedent, binding precedent | Enforce | To make sure that something happens or is obeyed | enforce the law, enforce a contract | Breach | An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct | breach of contract, breach of confidence | Legislation | Laws, considered collectively, as made by a governing body | new legislation, legislative process | Litigation | The process of taking a law case to a court, in the hope of getting a formal public judgment and a remedy or punishment as the case may be | civil litigation, litigation process | Jurisprudence | The theory or philosophy of law | legal jurisprudence, comparative jurisprudence | Statute | A formal written enactment of a legislative authority | statute law, statutory instrument | Juridical | Relating to the administration of justice or the law | juridical process, juridical authority | Enactment | The process of passing legislation | legislative enactment, statutory enactment | Codification | The process of arranging laws or rules into a systematic code | codification of laws, legal codification | Precedential | Having the power or authority of a legal precedent | precedential value, precedential effect

Common Mistakes

1. Overuse of Legal Jargon: Students often use complex legal terms without fully understanding their meanings or contexts, leading to inaccuracies.
2. Lack of Context: Failing to explain legal terms within the context of the argument can make the writing seem disjointed and unclear.
3. Incorrect Collocations: Using legal terms with incorrect collocations can make the writing sound unnatural and may lead to misunderstandings.
4. Overgeneralization: Making broad statements about legal principles without specific examples or evidence can weaken the argument.
5. Ignoring Task Requirements: Focusing too much on legal vocabulary and forgetting to address the task requirements can result in a lower score.

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