Plan this opinion 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:
Serious crimes such as murder should always be punished with the longest possible prison sentence, with no chance of early release.
Do you agree or disagree?
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.
Some people believe that serious crimes such as murder should always be punished with the longest possible sentence and no chance of early release. I disagree with this view, although I accept that the most dangerous offenders must be kept in prison for a very long time.
Those who agree make a powerful argument. Murder causes irreversible harm, and victims' families feel that justice is not served if the killer is released while they still grieve. Long, fixed sentences also protect society, as dangerous people cannot offend again, and they may deter potential criminals. Offering no chance of release gives certainty and prevents mistakes by parole boards, which have occasionally freed prisoners who later killed again.
However, I believe a rule that applies automatically to every serious offender is too rigid. Crimes differ greatly in circumstances: a premeditated killing for money is very different from a death caused in a moment of rage, or by a victim of domestic abuse who fought back. A system that makes no distinction cannot be fair. Without any hope of release, prisoners have no reason to behave well or to take part in education and therapy, which makes prisons more violent and dangerous for staff. Keeping people inside for life is also extremely expensive, especially as they grow old and require healthcare. In addition, the risk of wrongful conviction means that irreversible punishments are troubling; several countries have freed innocent prisoners after many years when new evidence emerged.
A better approach is to impose very long minimum terms for the worst crimes, with release considered only after rigorous assessment, while permanently detaining those who remain a danger.
In conclusion, serious offenders deserve severe punishment, but a blanket ban on early release is too inflexible and potentially unjust, so I disagree with the statement.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| life imprisonment | prison for the rest of one's life |
| early release | leaving prison before the sentence ends |
| serious offender | person guilty of grave crimes |
| miscarriage of justice | wrong court decision |
| retribution | punishment for what was done |
| second chance | opportunity to start again |
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