Scorify.uzTypes of crime and offenders
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| petty crime | minor crimes such as small thefts | Petty crime is common in crowded tourist areas. |
| violent crime | crime in which people are hurt | Violent crime has fallen in many cities over the last decade. |
| white-collar crime | non-violent crime such as fraud in business | White-collar crime can cost the economy billions. |
| juvenile delinquency | offending by young people | Poverty and lack of supervision are linked to juvenile delinquency. |
| repeat offender | a person who commits crimes again and again | A repeat offender usually receives a tougher sentence. |
| cybercrime | crime committed using computers or the internet | Cybercrime is growing as more services move online. |
| organised crime | crime planned by criminal groups | Organised crime often involves drugs and illegal trade. |
Causes and prevention
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| root cause | the main underlying reason | Unemployment is often a root cause of street crime. |
| deterrent | something that discourages people from acting | Visible police patrols act as a deterrent to burglars. |
| crime rate | the number of crimes in an area | The crime rate dropped after street lighting was improved. |
| community policing | police working closely with local residents | Community policing builds trust between officers and neighbours. |
| surveillance | close observation, often with cameras | CCTV surveillance can help to solve crimes, but it raises privacy concerns. |
| peer pressure | influence from people of your own age | Peer pressure can lead teenagers into gangs. |
| tackle crime | take action to deal with crime | Investing in youth clubs may tackle crime more effectively than longer sentences. |
Justice and punishment
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| custodial sentence | a punishment of time in prison | A custodial sentence is not always the best way to punish minor offences. |
| community service | unpaid work done as punishment | Community service lets offenders repay society and keep their jobs. |
| fine | money paid as a punishment | Drivers who park illegally can be given a heavy fine. |
| capital punishment | the death penalty | Opponents argue that capital punishment cannot be undone if a mistake is made. |
| sentence | the punishment given by a court | The judge gave him a two-year sentence for fraud. |
| convict | to decide officially that someone is guilty | He was convicted of theft on the basis of video evidence. |
| acquit | to decide officially that someone is not guilty | The jury acquitted her because the evidence was weak. |
Prison and rehabilitation
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| rehabilitation | helping offenders to live normal lives again | Rehabilitation programmes teach prisoners skills for employment. |
| reoffend | commit another crime | Prisoners who learn a trade are less likely to reoffend. |
| overcrowded prisons | prisons with too many inmates | Overcrowded prisons make education programmes difficult. |
| reintegrate into society | return to normal social life | Support after release helps ex-prisoners reintegrate into society. |
| harsh penalties | very severe punishments | Harsh penalties do not always prevent crime if people expect not to be caught. |
| law-abiding | obeying the law | Most citizens are law-abiding and want to feel safe. |
| victim support | help given to people harmed by crime | Victim support services should be as well funded as prisons. |
How to use these words well
- Match the word to the person: a criminal commits a crime, a court passes a sentence, a jury acquits or convicts.
- Use deterrent and rehabilitation in the same essay to show you understand both sides of the punishment debate.
- Avoid saying thieves are bad people; use neutral, formal language such as offenders.
- Do not invent crime statistics; use phrases like in many countries or evidence suggests.
Study guides
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.