IELTS Writing Task 2: Death Penalty (Agree/Disagree) – Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The death penalty remains one of the most controversial IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts. A Band 9 answer presents a clear position using advanced vocabulary, logical progression, and evidence from multiple sources. Test-takers often struggle with balancing opinion (Task Response) and complexity (Lexical Resource), with only 42% of candidates achieving Band 7+ in this task type (IELTS 2026 data). The following models demonstrate how to score in different bands for the prompt:

> Prompts (paraphrased): > - Some people argue that capital punishment deters crime and is a just punishment. Others disagree, claiming it violates human rights. Discuss both views and give your opinion. > - In some societies, the death penalty is considered an effective way to deal with violent criminals. Do you agree or disagree?

Band 6.0 Answer

Sample Text

The death penalty is a very controversial topic. Some people say it stops crime, but others think it is wrong. I think it should be banned for many reasons.

Firstly, the death penalty does not stop crime. In countries like America, where they have it, crime rates are still high. Countries like Japan, which have the death penalty, still have murders. This shows it does not work. Secondly, it is inhumane. Killing people is wrong, no matter what they did. Even if someone does something very bad, it is not right to kill them.

On the other hand, some people say it is a good punishment. They think if people know they can be killed, they will not commit crimes. However, this is not true. Studies show that countries without the death penalty have lower crime rates than those with it. Also, there is always a chance of making a mistake. Innocent people could be killed.

In conclusion, the death penalty should be banned. It does not work, it is wrong, and it is too risky.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Band 6 (Presents a clear position but with limited discussion of both views)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 6 (Uses some cohesive devices but with frequent lapses)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 6 (Limited range of vocabulary, some inappropriate choices)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 6 (Frequent grammatical errors, though meaning is usually clear)

Band 7.0 Answer

Sample Text

Capital punishment is a highly debated issue, with proponents arguing it deters crime and opponents claiming it violates fundamental human rights. I firmly believe the death penalty should be abolished.

Firstly, there is little evidence that the death penalty acts as an effective deterrent. According to Amnesty International, 144 countries have abolished capital punishment, and many of these nations have lower crime rates than those where it remains legal. For instance, countries like Norway and Japan both have low murder rates, but Norway has abolished the death penalty while Japan retains it. This suggests that other factors, such as socio-economic conditions and law enforcement effectiveness, play a more significant role in crime prevention.

Secondly, the death penalty raises serious ethical concerns. The right to life is a fundamental human right, and no government should have the authority to take it away, even as punishment for a crime. Furthermore, the legal system is not infallible, and there have been numerous cases of innocent people being sentenced to death. Once executed, these mistakes cannot be rectified, making the death penalty an irreversible and unjust form of punishment.

On the other hand, some argue that the death penalty provides justice for victims' families and acts as a severe punishment for heinous crimes. While I understand the emotional aspect of this argument, I believe that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole can serve as a more humane and reversible alternative.

In conclusion, the death penalty is an outdated and ineffective form of punishment that violates human rights and risks innocent lives. It should be replaced with more humane and reversible alternatives like life imprisonment.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Band 7 (Presents a clear position with a balanced discussion of both views, though some arguments could be developed further)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 7 (Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively, but some paragraphs could be better linked)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 7 (Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary, though some words and collocations are slightly inaccurate)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 7 (Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with some errors but overall clear communication)

Band 8.0 Answer

Sample Textn The death penalty is a contentious issue that has sparked intense debate worldwide. While some advocate for its retention as a means of deterring crime and delivering justice, I firmly oppose capital punishment on both moral and practical grounds.

From a moral perspective, the death penalty is an affront to human dignity. The right to life is an inalienable human right, and no legal system should have the authority to take it away. Furthermore, the potential for wrongful convictions makes the death penalty an unacceptable risk. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 185 people in the United States have been exonerated from death row since 1973, highlighting the fallibility of the judicial process. Once executed, these mistakes are irreversible, making the death penalty a cruel and irreparable injustice.

Practically, the death penalty has not been proven to be an effective deterrent. A study by the National Research Council in 2012 found that research purporting to show that the death penalty deters crime is fundamentally flawed. Countries like Japan, which retains the death penalty, have higher crime rates than countries like Norway, which has abolished it. This suggests that other factors, such as socio-economic conditions and law enforcement effectiveness, play a more significant role in crime prevention.

Proponents of the death penalty argue that it provides closure for the families of victims and serves as a severe punishment for heinous crimes. While I empathize with the emotional trauma that victims' families endure, I believe that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole can serve as a more humane and reversible alternative. Moreover, the prolonged legal process of appeals and executions can cause additional suffering for the families of both victims and perpetrators.

In conclusion, the death penalty is an outdated and ineffective form of punishment that violates human rights and risks innocent lives. It should be abolished and replaced with more humane and reversible alternatives like life imprisonment.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Band 8 (Presents a clear position with a thorough discussion of both views, supported by relevant examples and evidence)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 8 (Uses a wide range of cohesive devices effectively, with clear progression and logical organization)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 8 (Uses a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and precision, though occasional minor errors occur)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 8 (Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences)

Band 9.0 Answer

Sample Text

The death penalty remains one of the most hotly debated topics in contemporary society. While some contend that capital punishment acts as a potent deterrent to violent crime and delivers a just retribution for heinous offenses, I contend that it is an archaic and inhumane practice that should be universally abolished.

From an ethical standpoint, the death penalty is fundamentally incompatible with the principle of human rights. The right to life is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and no legal system should possess the authority to revoke it. Furthermore, the irreversible nature of capital punishment renders it an unacceptable risk in the face of judicial fallibility. According to Amnesty International, there have been at least 1,449 exonerations of wrongfully convicted individuals in the United States alone since 1989. Once executed, these irreparable mistakes serve as a stark testament to the barbarity of the death penalty.

Pragmatically, the death penalty has failed to demonstrate its purported deterrent effect. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology in 2012 concluded that studies claiming a deterrent effect are fundamentally flawed. Conversely, countries that have abolished capital punishment, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, have experienced steady declines in crime rates. This suggests that factors such as socio-economic development, education, and effective law enforcement play a more significant role in crime prevention than the specter of capital punishment.

Advocates for the death penalty often cite the need for closure for victims' families and the necessity of severe punishment for egregious crimes. While I acknowledge the profound emotional trauma that victims' families endure, I maintain that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole provides a more humane and reversible alternative. Moreover, the prolonged and costly legal processes surrounding executions often prolong the suffering of all parties involved, making the death penalty a cruel and protracted form of punishment.

In conclusion, the death penalty is an outdated, inhumane, and ineffective form of punishment that violates fundamental human rights and risks innocent lives. It should be abolished worldwide and replaced with more humane and reversible alternatives that prioritize rehabilitation and justice over retribution.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Band 9 (Presents a clear, insightful, and supported position with a thorough discussion of both views, supported by relevant, extended, and supported arguments)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 9 (Uses a wide range of cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately, with a clear progression and logical organization)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 9 (Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precision, flexibility, and sophistication, with rare minor errors)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 9 (Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences and only very rare minor errors)

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Capital punishment (noun) – The legal authorized killing of someone as punishment for a serious crime. Example: The debate around capital punishment continues to divide societies worldwide.

1. Deterrent (noun) – Something that discourages or has a deterrent effect. Example: The death penalty is often justified as a deterrent to violent crime.

1. Inhumane (adjective) – Lacking compassion or mercy; cruel. Example: Critics argue that the death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment.

1. Inalienable (adjective) – Impossible to take away or give up. Example: The right to life is an inalienable human right.

1. Exonerate (verb) – To clear someone of blame or guilt. Example: DNA evidence exonerated the man from death row.

1. Irreversible (adjective) – Impossible to reverse or change. Example: The death penalty is an irreversible form of punishment.

1. Fallibility (noun) – The quality of being fallible or prone to error. Example: The fallibility of the judicial system makes the death penalty a risky punishment.

1. Heinous (adjective) – Extremely wicked or cruel. Example: The death penalty is often reserved for the most heinous crimes.

1. Closure (noun) – A sense of finality or resolution. Example: Victims' families often seek closure through the punishment of the perpetrator.

1. Retribution (noun) – Punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act. Example: Proponents of the death penalty argue that it provides just retribution for violent crimes.

1. Archaic (adjective) – Belonging to a remote and obscura period. Example: Many argue that the death penalty is an archaic practice that has no place in modern society.

1. Enshrined (adjective) – Given special status or protection by being included in a legal document. Example: The right to life is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1. Meta-analysis (noun) – A statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple studies. Example: A comprehensive meta-analysis found no evidence that the death penalty deters crime.

1. Protracted (adjective) – Lasting for a long time or longer than expected or desired. Example: The legal process surrounding executions is often protracted and costly.

1. Rehabilitation (noun) – The action of reinstating someone to their former position or rank. Example: Many advocate for rehabilitation over retribution as the primary goal of the criminal justice system.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Avoiding a Clear Position: Some test-takers try to present a balanced view without taking a clear stance. This can lead to a lower Task Response score. Always clearly state your position in the introduction and conclusion.

1. Using Informal Language: Informal language, such as contractions (e.g., 'don't', 'can't') and colloquial expressions, can lower your Lexical Resource score. Stick to formal, academic language.

1. Lack of Specific Examples: Vague arguments without specific examples or evidence can weaken your response. Always support your arguments with concrete examples and data.

1. Poor Paragraph Organization: Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea with supporting examples. Poorly organized paragraphs can lead to a lower Coherence and Cohesion score.

1. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. Proofread your essay for common errors, such as subject-verb agreement and tense consistency.

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