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Simone Braverman

Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and the author of several renowned IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005, Simone has been committed to making IELTS preparation accessible and effective through her books and online resources. Her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.

IELTS essay, topic: Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology (agree/disagree)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in the UAE

Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology, which will help prevent and solve crimes in an easier way. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample Band 8 Essay

Nowadays technology is advancing faster than ever and many fields are benefitting from the opportunities this trend presents. Some think that crime prevention can be one possible application of new technologies, by allowing to deter offenders or solve crimes in a faster and easier way. In my opinion, innovation in crime prevention can be a game-changer that will reduce both the number of crimes committed and the time it takes to catch those responsible for them.

Not everyone is optimistic about the prospects of the use of new technologies in crime prevention, and those who subscribe to the more pessimistic view say that advanced technologies can be accessed by criminals, therefore raising the crime rates. Such tools can, indeed, cause more damage if they fall in the wrong hands; however, it would require the offenders to be highly skilled to be able to use the modern technologies. Statistically, many of them tend to have a lower level of education, and for that reason they are likely to stick to the old ways of committing crimes, whereas the minority of highly skilled criminals are unlikely to make a big difference to the crime levels.

Law enforcement workforce, on the other hand, has a much better grip on modern technology. Nowadays police officers and detectives undergo special training, take regular skill update courses, and use high-tech equipment. Facial recognition and thermal imaging are just two examples of the important tools that police are already using to find and catch offenders faster. Ordinary citizens can do their part in preventing burglaries by installing sophisticated systems with sensors, CCTV video feed and various alarms to detect and deter thieves. The combined effort will, no doubt, push the crime curve down.

To sum up, even though the wonders of technology are available to everyone, it seems to me that they will better assist law enforcement in solving crimes, and law-abiding citizens in protecting themselves and their property, rather than felons. This will tip the balance in favour of reduction in crime rate and make the world a safer place.

Teacher’s comment: The writer fully addressed all parts of the task in their response. Their ideas are well-developed, extended and supported. Paraphrasing, referencing, substitution, sequencing of information and paragraphing are skillfully used in this essay, contributing to its high level of cohesion and coherence. The wide range of vocabulary and accurate word choice allows the writer to convey their message precisely. This essay has many examples of uncommon lexical items, all appropriately used. The writer has a great control of grammar, they follow the rules of punctuation and use complex sentence structures very well. Overall, this essay is likely to get Band 8 or 8.5 in IELTS

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

IELTS test in the UK – April 2022 (Academic Module)

Our friends N.Z. and A.T. took their Academic IELTS tests in the UK and collectively remembered the following questions:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a table describing the percentages of student satisfaction with 3 different subjects.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In some countries the percentage of 15 year-olds in the population is already significant and is continuing to grow. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– What can I call you?
– Where did you grow up?
– Did you have a good childhood?
– Did you have many friends as a child?
– Did you go to parks often?
– Do you like visiting parks now?
– What do you like better, to visit a park or someone’s house?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a walk, a boat tour or a bicycle trip that you would like to take. Please say

– where you would go
– when you would go
– who you would go with
– and explain why you would like to take this walk/trip/tour.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think that traffic is the main contributor to CO2 emissions?
– Do you think this will get better or worse in the future? In what way?
– What can the government do to reduce CO2 emissions?
– How about individuals, what can they do?
– Do you think that city planners take the needs of pedestrians sufficiently into consideration?