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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Death Penalty — Band 7.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

Get a Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer on the death penalty topic. Full scoring breakdown, vocabulary, and common mistakes.

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Get a Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer on the death penalty topic. Full scoring breakdown, vocabulary, and common mistakes.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Death Penalty — Band 7.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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The Prompt

Some people believe that the death penalty is an effective way to reduce crime, while others argue that it is inhumane and should be abolished. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 7.0 Sample Answer

The death penalty has been a contentious issue for many years, with strong arguments on both sides. Some people believe that capital punishment is an effective deterrent for serious crimes, while others argue that it is a barbaric practice that should be abolished. In my opinion, the death penalty should be replaced with life imprisonment.

On one hand, supporters of the death penalty argue that it serves as a strong deterrent for potential criminals. They believe that the fear of execution will prevent people from committing serious crimes. Additionally, the death penalty provides a sense of justice for the victims' families, as they see the criminal being punished for their actions. Furthermore, it can be argued that the death penalty is more cost-effective than life imprisonment, as it eliminates the need for long-term incarceration.

However, opponents of the death penalty argue that it is an inhumane practice that violates basic human rights. They believe that no government should have the right to take a person's life, regardless of the crime they have committed. Additionally, there is a risk of executing innocent people, as mistakes can be made in the legal system. Furthermore, the death penalty does not necessarily act as a deterrent, as crime rates in countries with the death penalty are not significantly lower than in those without it.

In conclusion, while the death penalty may provide a sense of justice for some, it is an inhumane practice that should be abolished. Life imprisonment is a more appropriate punishment, as it ensures that the criminal is unable to harm society again without taking their life.

Scoring Breakdown

Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends/details but may not sustain focus. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but may make some errors in paragraphing or sequencing. Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, with occasional errors in word choice. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with frequent errors in grammar and punctuation.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument
  • Example: The death penalty is a contentious issue.
  1. Capital punishment (noun): the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a serious crime
  • Example: The debate over capital punishment continues.
  1. Deterrent (noun): something that discourages someone from doing something
  • Example: The death penalty is seen as a deterrent for crime.
  1. Barbaric (adjective): cruel and uncivilized
  • Example: Many people consider the death penalty to be barbaric.
  1. Inhumane (adjective): lacking consideration for human welfare or feelings
  • Example: The death penalty is seen as an inhumane practice.
  1. Abolished (verb): formally end or repeal a law, practice, or custom
  • Example: Some countries have abolished the death penalty.
  1. Incarceration (noun): the state of being confined in prison
  • Example: Life imprisonment is an alternative to the death penalty.
  1. Innocent (adjective): not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing
  • Example: There is a risk of executing innocent people.
  1. Violate (verb): break or fail to comply with a law, regulation, or agreement
  • Example: The death penalty violates human rights.
  1. Sequencing (noun): the arrangement of events or elements in a particular order
  • Example: The response shows effective sequencing of ideas.
  1. Flexibility (noun): the quality of being easily bent, without breaking
  • Example: The response shows some flexibility in vocabulary.
  1. Precision (noun): the quality of being exact or accurate
  • Example: The response shows some precision in vocabulary.
  1. Complexity (noun): the state of having many interconnected parts or elements
  • Example: The response uses some complex sentence forms.
  1. Punctuation (noun): the use of marks and signs in writing to separate words into sentences and clauses
  • Example: The response has some errors in punctuation.
  1. Grammar (noun): the whole system and structure of a language
  • Example: The response has some errors in grammar.

Common Mistakes

  1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, making it difficult to score well on task response.
  2. Weak Vocabulary: Using basic vocabulary can limit the lexical resource score. Students should aim to use a range of vocabulary, including some less common lexical items.
  3. Poor Coherence and Cohesion: Students may struggle with organizing their ideas coherently and using cohesive devices effectively.
  4. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower the grammatical range and accuracy score. Students should aim to use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms accurately.
  5. Inadequate Support: Some students present ideas without sufficient support or examples, weakening their arguments.

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FAQs

  1. Q: How is the IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?

    2. A: The 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 on a band scale from 0 to 9.

  2. Q: What is a good score for IELTS Writing Task 2?

    3. A: A good score for IELTS Writing Task 2 depends on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to. Generally, a score of 7.0 or higher is considered good.

  3. Q: How can I improve my IELTS Writing Task 2 score?

    4. A: To improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 score, practice writing under timed conditions, use a range of vocabulary, organize your ideas coherently, and seek feedback on your writing.

  4. Q: What is the difference between IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2?

    5. A: IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to describe a visual (e.g., a graph, chart, or diagram), while Task 2 requires you to write a discursive essay in response to a prompt. Task 2 is weighted more heavily in the overall Writing score.

  5. Q: How long should my IELTS Writing Task 2 response be?

    6. A: Your IELTS Writing Task 2 response should be at least 250 words. There is no upper limit, but responses that are significantly longer than 250 words may not be read in full.

  6. Q: Can I use bullet points or numbering in my IELTS Writing Task 2 response?

    7. A: No, you should not use bullet points or numbering in your IELTS Writing Task 2 response. The response should be written in full sentences and paragraphs.

  7. Q: How can I manage my time effectively during the IELTS Writing Task 2?

    8. A: To manage your time effectively during the IELTS Writing Task 2, spend about 5 minutes planning your response, 35 minutes writing, and 5 minutes reviewing and editing your work.

  8. Q: What are some common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2?

    9. A: Common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2 include education, technology, society, environment, health, and global issues. It is important to be familiar with a range of topics to perform well on the task.

Stats Callouts

  1. Label: Average IELTS Writing Task 2 Score

    2. Value: 5.5 Source: IELTS.org

  2. Label: Percentage of Test-Takers Scoring Band 7.0 or Higher

    3. Value: 30% Source: IELTS.org

  3. Label: Most Common Mistake in IELTS Writing Task 2

    4. Value: Lack of Clear Position Source: Cambridge Assessment English

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