AI-powered learning English

English guide

IELTS Writing Task 2:
Police Surveillance (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 with police surveillance two part question sample answers. Band 6, 7, 8, and 9 model responses with detailed scoring breakdowns.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Police Surveillance (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers | English AIdol Blog

What this guide covers

Search answer

What this page helps you decide

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 with police surveillance two part question sample answers. Band 6, 7, 8, and 9 model responses with detailed scoring breakdowns.

Focus Quick answer
Includes 2026 update
Best for Practical checklist
Next step Related practice
  1. Scan the direct answer first.
  2. Check examples or score rules.
  3. Open the related practice page.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Police Surveillance (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

Related guides:

The Prompt

Some people argue that police surveillance is an essential tool for maintaining public safety, while others believe it infringes on personal privacy. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Provide relevant examples to support your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

The police surveillance is important for safety but it can invade privacy. I agree with this because it helps catch criminals but people worry about being watched all the time.

In today's society, police surveillance has become a common practice. Some people think it is necessary for safety, while others think it is an invasion of privacy. I agree with both views because surveillance can help catch criminals, but it can also make people feel uncomfortable.

On one hand, police surveillance can help catch criminals. For example, in many cities, cameras are used to monitor public areas. This has led to the arrest of many criminals. Additionally, surveillance can help prevent crimes before they happen. For instance, if a police officer sees a group of people acting suspiciously, they can intervene before a crime is committed.

On the other hand, police surveillance can invade people's privacy. Many people feel uncomfortable knowing that they are being watched all the time. For example, in some cities, cameras are placed in private areas, such as parks and parking lots. This can make people feel like they are being spied on. Additionally, some people worry that the government could use surveillance to track their movements and activities.

In conclusion, police surveillance is important for safety, but it can also invade people's privacy. I believe that the benefits of surveillance outweigh the drawbacks, but it is important to find a balance between safety and privacy.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development and some irrelevant points.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Logical organization with some use of cohesive devices but some unclear referencing.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Attempts to use a mix of vocabulary but with some errors and limited range.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with frequent errors.

Band 7.0 Answer

Police surveillance is a contentious issue, with proponents arguing it enhances public safety and critics asserting it violates personal privacy. I firmly believe that the benefits of surveillance outweigh the drawbacks, as it can prevent crimes and protect citizens.

Police surveillance has become an increasingly prevalent tool in maintaining public safety. While some argue that it infringes on personal privacy, I firmly believe that the benefits of surveillance outweigh the drawbacks. This essay will discuss the advantages of police surveillance and address the concerns of those who oppose it.

One of the primary advantages of police surveillance is its ability to prevent crimes. For instance, the installation of CCTV cameras in public areas has been shown to deter criminal activity. According to a study by the University of North Carolina, areas with CCTV cameras experienced a 51% reduction in crime rates. Additionally, surveillance can help law enforcement agencies identify and apprehend criminals more efficiently. For example, in the UK, the use of facial recognition technology has led to the arrest of numerous suspects.

Another advantage of police surveillance is its ability to protect citizens. For example, in the event of a terrorist attack, surveillance cameras can provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to respond more effectively. Additionally, surveillance can help protect vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly, from harm.

However, it is important to acknowledge the concerns of those who oppose police surveillance. One of the primary concerns is the potential for abuse. For example, there have been instances where law enforcement agencies have used surveillance to monitor political activists and journalists. Additionally, some people worry that surveillance can lead to a chilling effect, where individuals self-censor their behavior out of fear of being watched.

In conclusion, while police surveillance raises valid concerns about privacy, its benefits in preventing crimes and protecting citizens cannot be overlooked. It is crucial to strike a balance between public safety and personal privacy, ensuring that surveillance is used responsibly and transparently.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Logical organization with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items and some errors.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but generally effective communication.

Band 8.0 Answer

The debate surrounding police surveillance has intensified in recent years, with proponents advocating for its role in enhancing public safety and critics highlighting its potential to infringe upon personal liberties. I contend that, while surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, it must be implemented judiciously to avoid encroaching upon individual privacy.

The proliferation of police surveillance technologies has sparked a contentious debate regarding their impact on public safety and personal privacy. While I acknowledge the potential benefits of surveillance in crime prevention, I firmly believe that its implementation must be carefully regulated to prevent the erosion of individual liberties.

One of the most compelling arguments in favor of police surveillance is its ability to deter and prevent criminal activity. For instance, the widespread installation of CCTV cameras in urban areas has been correlated with a significant reduction in crime rates. A study conducted by the University of Maryland found that the presence of CCTV cameras led to a 23% decrease in crime in the observed areas. Furthermore, surveillance technologies such as license plate readers and facial recognition systems have enabled law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects more efficiently, thereby enhancing public safety.

However, the potential for abuse and the infringement of personal privacy cannot be overlooked. The indiscriminate use of surveillance technologies can lead to the collection of vast amounts of data on innocent individuals, raising concerns about the potential for misuse. For example, in 2013, it was revealed that the National Security Agency (NSA) had been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans without their consent. This incident highlighted the need for robust legal frameworks to govern the use of surveillance technologies and protect individual privacy.

Moreover, the implementation of surveillance technologies can have a chilling effect on society, discouraging individuals from exercising their rights to free speech and assembly. For instance, the use of surveillance cameras at political protests can deter individuals from participating, thereby undermining the democratic process. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the need for public safety and the protection of individual liberties.

In conclusion, while police surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, its implementation must be carefully regulated to avoid encroaching upon individual privacy. It is essential to establish clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to ensure that surveillance technologies are used responsibly and transparently.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas, and presents a clear position throughout the response.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Logical organization with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices, and uses paragraphing effectively.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items and some errors.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but generally effective communication.

Band 9.0 Answer

The contentious issue of police surveillance has garnered significant attention in recent years, with proponents advocating for its role in enhancing public safety and critics highlighting its potential to infringe upon personal liberties. I firmly believe that, while surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, its implementation must be carefully regulated to avoid the erosion of individual privacy.

The debate surrounding police surveillance has intensified in recent years, with proponents advocating for its role in enhancing public safety and critics highlighting its potential to infringe upon personal liberties. I firmly believe that, while surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, its implementation must be carefully regulated to avoid the erosion of individual privacy.

One of the most compelling arguments in favor of police surveillance is its ability to deter and prevent criminal activity. For instance, the widespread installation of CCTV cameras in urban areas has been correlated with a significant reduction in crime rates. A study conducted by the University of Maryland found that the presence of CCTV cameras led to a 23% decrease in crime in the observed areas. Furthermore, surveillance technologies such as license plate readers and facial recognition systems have enabled law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects more efficiently, thereby enhancing public safety.

However, the potential for abuse and the infringement of personal privacy cannot be overlooked. The indiscriminate use of surveillance technologies can lead to the collection of vast amounts of data on innocent individuals, raising concerns about the potential for misuse. For example, in 2013, it was revealed that the National Security Agency (NSA) had been collecting the phone records of millions of Americans without their consent. This incident highlighted the need for robust legal frameworks to govern the use of surveillance technologies and protect individual privacy.

Moreover, the implementation of surveillance technologies can have a chilling effect on society, discouraging individuals from exercising their rights to free speech and assembly. For instance, the use of surveillance cameras at political protests can deter individuals from participating, thereby undermining the democratic process. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the need for public safety and the protection of individual liberties.

In conclusion, while police surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, its implementation must be carefully regulated to avoid encroaching upon individual privacy. It is essential to establish clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to ensure that surveillance technologies are used responsibly and transparently.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas, and presents a clear position throughout the response.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Logical organization with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices, and uses paragraphing effectively.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items and some errors.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but generally effective communication.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Contentious (adj.) - causing or likely to cause people to argue: The issue of police surveillance is highly contentious.
  2. Proponents (n.) - a person who advocates for a cause or proposal: Proponents of police surveillance argue that it enhances public safety.
  3. Indiscriminate (adj.) - done at random or without careful consideration: The indiscriminate use of surveillance technologies can lead to the collection of vast amounts of data on innocent individuals.
  4. Chilling effect (n.) - a deterrent effect on people's behavior due to the fear of being watched or monitored: The implementation of surveillance technologies can have a chilling effect on society.
  5. Robust (adj.) - strong and healthy; vigorous: It is essential to establish robust legal frameworks to govern the use of surveillance technologies.
  6. Erosion (n.) - the gradual destruction or diminution of something: The indiscriminate use of surveillance technologies can lead to the erosion of individual privacy.
  7. Apprehend (v.) - to arrest or take into custody: Surveillance technologies such as license plate readers and facial recognition systems have enabled law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects more efficiently.
  8. Deter (v.) - to discourage or prevent someone from doing something: The widespread installation of CCTV cameras in urban areas has been correlated with a significant reduction in crime rates, as it deters criminal activity.
  9. Correlated (adj.) - having a mutual or reciprocal relationship: The widespread installation of CCTV cameras in urban areas has been correlated with a significant reduction in crime rates.
  10. Undermine (v.) - to weaken or damage something, especially gradually or insidiously: The use of surveillance cameras at political protests can undermine the democratic process.
  11. Oversight (n.) - the action of supervising the execution of a task: It is essential to establish clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to ensure that surveillance technologies are used responsibly and transparently.
  12. Transparently (adv.) - in a manner that is easily seen through; open to public scrutiny: It is essential to establish clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to ensure that surveillance technologies are used responsibly and transparently.
  13. Infringe (v.) - to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of others: Critics highlight the potential of police surveillance to infringe upon personal liberties.
  14. Judiciously (adv.) - in a manner that is careful and well-thought-out: While surveillance can be an effective tool for crime prevention, it must be implemented judiciously to avoid encroaching upon individual privacy.
  15. Efficiently (adv.) - in a manner that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense: Surveillance technologies such as license plate readers and facial recognition systems have enabled law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects more efficiently.
  16. Vigilant (adj.) - keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties: Police surveillance can help maintain vigilant monitoring of public areas.
  17. Infringement (n.) - a violation or encroachment: The potential for infringement of personal privacy cannot be overlooked.
  18. Deterrent (n.) - a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something: The widespread installation of CCTV cameras in urban areas has been correlated with a significant reduction in crime rates, as it acts as a deterrent to criminal activity.
  19. Chilling (adj.) - causing fear or unease: The implementation of surveillance technologies can have a chilling effect on society.
  20. Robust (adj.) - strong and healthy; vigorous: It is essential to establish robust legal frameworks to govern the use of surveillance technologies.

Common Mistakes

  1. Lack of Clear Position: Many test-takers fail to present a clear position in the introduction and throughout the response. Ensure that your position is explicitly stated and maintained.
  2. Insufficient Development: Some test-takers provide a clear position but fail to develop their ideas with relevant examples and explanations. Aim to provide detailed support for your arguments.
  3. Poor Organization: A well-organized response is crucial for achieving a high score. Ensure that your ideas are logically presented and that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea.
  4. Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can result in a lower score. Aim to use a variety of vocabulary, including some less common lexical items.
  5. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can detract from the overall quality of your response. Proofread your work to ensure that your grammar is accurate and varied.

Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol

Practice makes perfect. Get your own IELTS Writing Task 2 responses scored by AI on English AIdol and receive detailed feedback to help you improve your score.