capital punishment , you agree or disagree # IELTS Essay

 

Topic

 

Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and crimes of violence increase. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

 

Answer

 

Crime and violence have existed and sustained in our world since centuries. In earlier times, all crimes were designated as one and there was no differentiation between heinous and petty crimes. Death penalty was awarded to all who committed crimes, irrespective of their seriousness but now it is awarded for those crimes which are heinous.

Capital punishment for certain crimes is essential as it deters the culprit to commit the offence again. It instils fear in the person to commit atrocious and brutal offences. If there was no death penalty for such crimes, criminals would walk around free without any fear and repeat such criminal acts of violence. It is only when a criminal or offender fears for one’s own life, does it dissuade him to commit offences. We have had a number of cases in India whereby the death penalty has been awarded. For instance, Kasab, the terrorist who was involved in the terrorist attack in which many people were killed in cold blood at the Hotel Taj in Mumbai, was awarded the sentence and was hanged till death last year. Apart from this, the victims and their families also feel a sense of justice and security which in turn makes them live peacefully.

Yet capital punishment does not always lead to less crime in society. If the crime statistics are given attention, it will be seen that crime has increased manifold over the years, despite the death penalty being awarded in many cases.  This can be supported by the recent rape case which occurred in Delhi, whereby two criminals were given the death penalty but the incidence of rapes have not decreased. In fact, the numbers are growing gradually and each year it surpasses the previous year.

It can be concluded that capital punishment does not necessarily control crime in a society and only has a deterrent effect but it is required in those cases where heinous and despicable crimes have been committed.

Request of information Letter # IELTS Writing Task 1

General Writing Task – 1

Question – Request of information Letter
Task – 1
You have a friend who live in a city abroad. You have decided that you would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in the city. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
• Explain what you would like to do.
• Explain what kind of work or studies you have been doing for the past few years.
• Ask for assistance in contacting an appropriate institution.
Write at least 150 words.
Answer

Dear Amit,

I am writing to you to get some information about the course which I am planning to pursue from London where you currently reside. As I have insufficient knowledge about the colleges there, I thought of you as the best person to guide me.

I have been working in the area of Banking and Finance for nearly 8 years after having completed my bachelor degree in Finance. I have come to this point in my life where I have gained immense practical experience but somehow I feel the need to upgrade my current skill-set. Thereby, I wish to complete a Masters in Banking and Finance from a college in London.
I have searched for many colleges which offer this degree but the more I try to do so the more confused I get. As you are based in London, you would be the right person to advise me about the most suitable colleges that impart education in my area of interest.

I would be truly obliged if you could send me some information regarding the most feasible institutions which provide courses in banking and finance, so that I can decide and apply for the course as soon as possible.

Yours truly,
Kavita from Dehradun

Percentage Of Poverty-1 # Bar Graph

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The graph below shows the percentage of households, grouped by poverty, on the basis of access to refrigerator, electricity and water in Ghana for the year 1991/1992 to 1998/1999.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Percentage Of Poverty

Bar Graph

 

 

The graph illustrates the level of poverty amongst households in Ghana over a period of seven years i.e. from 1991/92 to 1998/99, grouped according to the access of refrigerator, electricity and water.

Initially, most of the houses having access to electricity and water were non-poor with the percentage being 73% and 76% respectively whereas refrigerator did not have much effect on financial condition of household with only 24% of households being non-poor. In addition, 11%, 57% and 69% of households living under poor conditions had access to refrigerator, electricity and water respectively.  However, 48% of households with availability of electricity were in very poor situations while 3% and 55% with refrigerator and water found themselves categorized as very poor.

Over a period of seven years, the number of households categorized as non-poor accessing refrigerator, electricity and water substantially increased to 37%, 85% and 80% respectively. Although the percentage of very poor remained constant in case of refrigerator, it declined to 34% in case of electricity and showed a minor increment with regards to water. Similar observations were seen in case of poor households.

Overall, the availability of electricity and water remained major factors in determining the financial status of households, however access to refrigerator did not make any major impact.

EXPLANATION

The answer provided is of band 6 and there are reasons for it.

  1. There is no clarity in the answer. After reading it, one cannot make out what the graph is about and what are the major issues. This is the major flaw. When answering a question of graph, it is expected that on reading it, you can get a clear summary of graph.
  2.  In the second paragraph, the use of initially is not correct. It is expected that you mention the year clearly.
  3. Repetition of words has been observed in many cases, this is not a good idea.

So, how to answer such graphs.

Rather than going from one point to another again and again, it is better you take a point and explain it better. All the trends observed in that particular point.
Be more clear about the year and it is better if you don’t use words such as initially or later on.
IELTSBAND7

Linking Words

Linking plays a very important role in your essay. 25% of your marks in essay depend on the linking and the cohesion of your essay. It is not only important for you to get the linking correct but you are required to give a range of linking words with perfect accuracy and flexibility. Linking words can be useful for you while listing, adding information, giving examples, showing results or consequences, highlighting, stressing or giving reasons.
Given below are the linking words that can be used in each of the cases.

LISTING
Linking words for listing are used to either put paragraphs in order or even to list your supporting points in paragraph.

  1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly ….
  2. Lastly, last but not the least , finally
Adding Information
Sometimes you need to support your main idea in essay, given below are the linkers that are used to inform that extra information will be provided.

  1. In addition
  2. Additionally
  3. Furthermore
  4. Moreover
  5. Also
  6. As well as
  7. And
Giving Example
Often you are required to give examples in your writing task. Always writing the same word could make you lose marks. Try to use the given linking words,

  1. For example
  2. In other words
  3. For instance
  4. Namely
  5. Such as
  6. To illustrate

Presenting Opinion
In essays wherein you are required to give your own opinion, following linking words will prove to be helpful to you.

  1. In my opinon
  2. I think
  3. I disagree/ I cannot accept
  4. I admit
  5. In my view
  6. I believe
  7. I concur/ agree
Results and Consequences
These linking words are very useful in when you are required to give solutions in your essay or state the consequences of something.

  1. As a result
  2. Consequently
  3. Thus
  4. Hence
  5. Therefore
  6. So
  7. For this reason
CONTRASTS
Often while writing essay, you are required to give opinion. Doing this sometimes you have to give your opinion of the opposing form. Given below are some of the linking words that could be helpful for you in such situations.

  1. However
  2. Nevertheless
  3. Even though
  4. Although
  5. But
  6. Despite
  7. Still
  8. On the other hand
  9. By contrast
  10. In comparison
  11. Alternatively
  12. Other option could be
Concluding Linkers
These linkers are useful to start your conclusion paragraph.

  1. In conclusion
  2. To sum up
  3. To conclude

IELTSBAND7

1 412 413 414 415 416 426