IELTS Writing Task 2: Death Penalty - Band 6.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
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The Prompt
Some people believe that the death penalty is an effective way to reduce crime. Others argue that it is cruel and inhumane. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Answers
Band 6.5 Answer
The death penalty is a controversial issue with valid arguments on both sides. Some people believe it reduces crime, while others think it is inhumane.
On one hand, supporters argue that the death penalty acts as a deterrent. They believe that if people know they could be executed for serious crimes, they will think twice before committing them. Additionally, it provides justice for victims' families, giving them closure. In many countries, the death penalty exists for this reason.
However, opponents argue it is cruel and inhumane. They say that taking a life is wrong, no matter the circumstances. Mistakes in the legal system could also lead to innocent people being executed. Furthermore, it does not necessarily reduce crime rates. Statistics show that countries without the death penalty often have lower homicide rates than those with it.
In my opinion, the death penalty should be abolished. It is a brutal practice that does not effectively reduce crime. Instead, life imprisonment without parole could be used as an alternative. This way, justice is served without taking a life.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR) - 6.5: Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, themes, or arguments with some development.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC) - 6.5: Uses cohesive devices effectively, but there may be some unclear referencing. Paragraphing is generally logical, but some sequences of sentences are not always connected.
Lexical Resource (LR) - 6.5: Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary, though there may be some less precise word choices or collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA) - 6.5: Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes some frequent errors in grammar and punctuation.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Controversial (adj): Subject to conflicting opinions. e.g., The death penalty is a controversial issue.
- Deterrent (n): Something that discourages someone from doing something. e.g., The death penalty acts as a deterrent.
- Inhumane (adj): Lacking compassion or mercy. e.g., Opponents argue the death penalty is inhumane.
- Abolish (v): To officially end something. e.g., The death penalty should be abolished.
- Brutal (adj): Extremely cruel or violent. e.g., It is a brutal practice.
- Closure (n): A sense of finality or resolution. e.g., It provides closure for victims' families.
- Innocent (adj): Not guilty of a crime. e.g., Mistakes could lead to innocent people being executed.
- Statistical (adj): Relating to statistics or numerical data. e.g., Statistics show that countries without the death penalty often have lower homicide rates.
- Alternative (n): A different solution or option. e.g., Life imprisonment without parole could be used as an alternative.
- Execute (v): To put someone to death as a legal punishment. e.g., The death penalty involves executing criminals.
- Valid (adj): Legitimate or worthy of recognition. e.g., There are valid arguments on both sides.
- Crime (n): An illegal act punishable by law. e.g., The death penalty aims to reduce crime.
- Legal system (n): The system of laws and institutions that uphold them. e.g., Mistakes in the legal system could lead to innocent executions.
- Homicide (n): The killing of one person by another. e.g., Countries without the death penalty have lower homicide rates.
- Imprisonment (n): The punishment of being put in prison. e.g., Life imprisonment without parole is an alternative.
Common Mistakes
- Failing to address both views equally: Some students focus too much on one side of the argument, neglecting the other.
- Using informal language: Words like "kinda", "gonna", and "you" are too informal for IELTS Writing Task 2.
- Incorrect collocations: For example, saying "do crime" instead of "commit crime" or "make crime".
- Overgeneralizing: Making broad statements without supporting evidence, such as "Everyone agrees that the death penalty is wrong."
- Poor paragraphing: Not organizing ideas into clear paragraphs, making the essay difficult to follow.
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FAQs
Q: How is the IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?
A: IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored on four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 9, and the average of the four scores is the final band score.
Q: What is considered a good score for IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: A good score depends on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to. Generally, a score of 7.0 or higher is considered good and indicates a strong command of English.
Q: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: To improve your vocabulary, read widely from various sources such as newspapers, academic journals, and books. Make a list of new words and practice using them in sentences. Also, learn and practice using academic collocations and phrases.
Q: What are some common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: Common topics include education, technology, environment, health, government, and society. The death penalty is a less frequent but still possible topic.
Q: How long should my IELTS Writing Task 2 essay be?
A: Your essay should be at least 250 words long. However, it's not just about the length; the content, structure, and language use are more important.
Q: Can I use personal examples in my IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?
A: While personal examples can be used, they should be relevant and support your arguments. However, IELTS Writing Task 2 generally expects a more academic and impersonal style.
Q: How can I practice for IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: Practice by writing essays on various topics under timed conditions. Use sample questions from official IELTS materials and get feedback from teachers or AI scoring engines like English AIdol.
Q: What is the difference between IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2?
A: Writing Task 1 requires you to describe visual information, such as graphs, charts, or diagrams, in at least 150 words. Writing Task 2 is an essay based on a given topic, and you have to write at least 250 words.
Q: How is the IELTS Writing Task 2 different from other writing tasks in English tests?
A: IELTS Writing Task 2 is different from other tests like TOEFL or PTE in that it requires a more academic and formal style. It also has specific scoring criteria and is designed to assess your ability to present a clear, coherent, and supported argument.
Stats Callouts
Label: Average Band Score for IELTS Writing Task 2 Value: 5.5 Source: IELTS.org
Label: Percentage of Test-Takers Scoring Band 7.0 or Higher Value: 28% Source: IELTS.org
Label: Most Common Mistake in IELTS Writing Task 2 Value: Poor Task Response Source: Cambridge Assessment English
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