Reducing Crime Through Education
A complete IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 307 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate people. Others think there are more effective methods of tackling crime. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01Discuss BOTH views with equal depth — don't dismiss one side quickly
- 02Use research references and country examples to add credibility
- 03Your opinion can be a balanced or 'both are needed' position
- 04Use discourse markers to signal shifts between views: 'However', 'Conversely', 'In my view'
- 05Avoid absolute statements — use hedging language for complex social issues
Model answer
307 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
Crime reduction is a complex policy challenge, and there is ongoing debate about whether education represents the most effective approach. While I believe education plays a crucial role, it must be part of a broader, multi-faceted strategy to be truly effective.
Those who advocate education as the primary solution to crime present a compelling case. Research consistently demonstrates a correlation between low educational attainment and criminal behaviour. People with limited education often face reduced employment prospects, which can drive them towards illegal economic activity out of desperation. By providing quality education, societies can equip individuals with skills, qualifications, and critical thinking abilities that open legitimate pathways to financial stability. Furthermore, education fosters social awareness and empathy, which may reduce the likelihood of individuals engaging in antisocial or violent behaviour. Early intervention programmes in schools have shown particularly promising results in steering at-risk youth away from criminal trajectories.
However, others argue that alternative methods are more immediately effective. Increased policing and surveillance, for instance, can deter crime through the heightened risk of detection. Tougher sentencing may discourage repeat offending, while rehabilitation programmes within the prison system can address the root causes of criminal behaviour among those already convicted. Additionally, tackling poverty directly through social welfare programmes, affordable housing, and community development can remove the economic pressures that contribute significantly to crime rates.
In my view, education is a powerful but insufficient solution on its own. It operates as a long-term preventative measure, whereas communities also need short-term interventions such as effective policing and social support. The most successful crime reduction strategies, as seen in countries like Finland and Japan, combine strong educational systems with comprehensive social safety nets and community-based policing.
In conclusion, while education is arguably the most sustainable long-term approach to crime reduction, it achieves the best results when integrated with complementary social and judicial measures.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
16 more than the median answer for this task type
10 words at the shortest, 27 at the longest
6 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 19.2 words and vary by 5 words either side of that, running from 10 words to 27. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 11 of the 16 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
12 in total, spread across 6 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
however, whereas, while
additionally, furthermore
results in
for instance, such as
in conclusion
arguably
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 82 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 73 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 2 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Address both views thoroughly and present a clear personal opinion
Coherence & Cohesion
Clear paragraph structure with smooth transitions between ideas
Lexical Resource
Academic vocabulary related to crime, education, and policy
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Accurate complex structures including conditionals and passive voice
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