Plan this two-part essay about crime with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many countries, more and more crimes are committed by teenagers.
Why is this happening? What can be done to address it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
In many countries, an increasing number of crimes are committed by teenagers. This essay will suggest the reasons for this and some ways to respond.
Several factors may explain the trend. The family is the first. Teenagers from homes with little supervision, because parents work long hours or are absent, are more likely to fall in with troublemakers. Poverty and unemployment also play a part: young people who see no future in education or work may turn to theft or drug dealing for money and status. Peer pressure is powerful at this age, and joining a gang can give a sense of belonging that is missing elsewhere. The media and social media may normalise violence and encourage young people to imitate what they see online. Finally, school failure and boredom leave some teenagers with too much unstructured time and little to do.
Solutions should focus on prevention as well as punishment. Parents need support, such as parenting classes and flexible working arrangements, so that they can supervise their children. Schools can identify pupils at risk and offer counselling and practical learning that motivates those who struggle with academic subjects. Local authorities can provide youth centres, sports facilities and part-time jobs, giving teenagers positive ways to spend their time and earn money. Young offenders should be dealt with through rehabilitation programmes, such as mentoring and community service, rather than being placed with adult criminals, which tends to make them worse. Early intervention is less expensive than prison and helps young people to change direction.
In conclusion, family problems, poverty, peer pressure, media influence and a lack of activities contribute to teenage crime. Support for families, good schools, youth facilities and focused rehabilitation can reduce it.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| juvenile delinquency | illegal acts by young people |
| peer pressure | influence from friends |
| parental supervision | watching over a child's behaviour |
| at risk | likely to be harmed or to do harm |
| youth offenders | young people who commit crimes |
| preventive measures | steps to stop something happening |
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