capital punishment advantages and disadvantages ielts essay

Free IELTS lessons signup

• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS band 9 essay: death penalty

Here you can find advice how to structure IELTS essay and IELTS model answer for death penalty topic. Question type: advantages and disadvantages .

Here is the question card:

Some people advocate death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society.

Describe advantages and disadvantages of death penalty and give your opinion.

So this is the advantage/disadvantage essay. In this essay you're asked about :

• Advantages of capital punishment
• Disadvantages of capital punishment
• Your opinion about it

Before writing this IELTS essay, you should decide what’s your opinion and then choose your arguments to describe pros and cons of death penalty. You don’t have to make up very complicate ideas. Even simple, but well-written arguments can often give you a band 9 for writing .

Some of the possible arguments :

• Disadvantages of capital punishment :
• we have no rights to kill other humans
• innocent people can be killed because of unfair sentences
• even criminals deserve a second chance
• Advantages of capital punishment :
• it prevents major crimes
• it restores equilibrium of justice
• it lessens expenses on maintenance of prisoners

How to structure my answer?

Surely, there are a lot of ways to organise this essay. But here is one possible way of structuring the answer to produce a band 9 essay :

Introduction : rephrase the topic and state your opinion.

Body paragraphs :

• paragraph 1: disadvantages of death penalty
• paragraph 2: advantages of death penalty

Conclusion : sum up the ideas from body paragraphs and briefly give your opinion.

Band 9 essay sample (death penalty)

Many people believe that death penalty is necessary to keep security system efficient in the society. While there are some negative aspects of capital punishment, I agree with the view that without it we will become more vulnerable to violence.

Death penalty can be considered unsuitable punishment for several reasons. The strongest argument is that we have no rights to kill other humans. Right to live is the basic right of any human being, and no one can infringe this right, irrespective of the person’s deeds. Moreover, innocent people can face wrongful execution. Such unfair sentences take away lives of innocent people and make other citizens lose faith in law and justice. And besides, sometimes criminals repent of their acts. In this case they should be given a second chance to improve themselves.

However, I believe that capital punishment is necessary in the society. Firstly, it is an effective deterrent of major crimes. The best method to prevent a person from committing crime is to show the consequences of his or her actions. For example, the government of Pakistan has controlled the rate of terrorism by enforcing death penalties for the members of terrorist organisations. Secondly, the governments spend large sums of national budget on maintenance of prisoners. Instead, this money can be used for the development of the society and welfare of the people.

To sum up, although capital punishment has some disadvantages, I think that it proves to be the best way of controlling criminals, lessening governmental expenses and preventing other people from doing crimes.

(257 words)

Useful vocabulary

capital punishment = death penalty

to commit a crime - to do a crime

deterrent of major crimes - something that prevents big crimes

to face wrongful execution - to be mistaken for a criminal and killed for that

to infringe someone’s right - restrict someone’s right, hurt someone’s interests

innocent people - people who are not guilty or responsible for crimes

to repent of something - to feel sorry for something

right to live is basic right of any human being

unfair sentence - not fair judgement

IELTS Writing Task 2 essay sample 3118 – Band 6.0

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Policies and Government , Society and Community , Task 2 essay , Writing samples , Writing topics

The writing sample displayed here is the work of IELTS candidates and has been assessed by our team for guidance and practice purposes. These scores are not official IELTS scores.

Candidate’s Response:

While it is believed by some people that death penalty is advisable for hardened criminals, others consider that the capital punishment should be banned. In my opinion, death penalty should be kept as a red line for those who involved in committing serious offending but it is essential to consider carefully before providing a final verdict.

There is little room for doubt that any crime committed by anyone must be punished in order to prevent others from offending. By providing punishment, it will ensure that people would be more concerned before being involved in any dodgy circumstances or human rights law in certain cases. Therefore, people who offended serious law abuses, such as a murder, inconsequentially should be punished by receiving a capital punishment. Thus, it will help others understand their overall responsibilities and prevent them, especially first-year criminals, from offending.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of providing death penalty. Firstly, in some countries, specifically in low-income countries, with high level of corruption this type of punishment might be used in personal purposes. As usual, these countries are presided over by a handful of corrupted people who have the ability to manipulate any activity to their own benefit and punish people in order to frighten them. Secondly, there is a high probability to condemn an innocent person and commit a penalty. In such a case, capital punishment prohibition would help authorities and people to develop a clearer understanding of criminals’ intentions and find a real offender.

In conclusion, while capital punishment certainly helps people understand their responsibilities, there are some circumstances where this measure might lead to the state of turmoil within society.

Presented By: Shahab Hosseinzadeh

January 23, 2024

IELTS Writing Band Descriptors:

Thank you indeed for writing this essay. Your stance in favor of the death penalty is clearly stated. However, you mentioned that it should be kept as a "red line" and that careful consideration is essential, providing a nuanced perspective. While the essay touches on several key points, it should consider expanding on ideas for a more comprehensive analysis. Providing specific examples or evidence can enhance the persuasiveness of the essay's argument. Regarding sentence structure and clarity, some sentences are complex, and a few could be rephrased for better clarity. For instance, in the concluding sentence, consider clarifying what "state of turmoil" refers to. Although the vocabulary range is wide, there are some vocabulary issues. For instance, instead of "dodgy circumstances," the essay can use "illegal activities" for a more academic tone.

Video Feedback

IELTS Juice

IELTS Juice is brought to you by Juice Academy, registered in ‌British Columbia, Canada. On this channel, experienced English teachers and IELTS experts provide lessons, tips, and guidance to help you improve your English and achieve the best results in the IELTS exam.

The IELTS Assessor

Kasra Sharifan

Co-founder and CFO

British Council certi f ied English teacher, IDP-trained IELTS instructor , content writer, editor-in-chief, co-founder, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at IELTS Juice Online Academy.

The 6.0 sample upgraded to 7.0+

Read similar samples

IELTS Writing Task 2 essay sample 3394 – Band 5.0

Health and Well-being , Sports and Leisure , Task 2 essay , Writing samples

In some countries, more and more people are hiring a personal fitness trainer, rather than playing sports or doing exercise classes.

What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or a negative development?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay sample 3416 – Band 6.0

Culture and Traditions , Environment , Family and Relationships , Society and Community , Task 2 essay , Work and Employment , Writing samples

Some people think that it’s a good Idea to socialise with work colleagues during evenings and weekends. Other people think it’s important to keep working life completely separate from social life.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

IELTS Listening

Best approaches to each part of the IELTS Listening test

IELTS Reading

All the strategies you need for success in IELTS reading

IELTS Writing

How to write letters, reports & essays based on IELTS criteria

IELTS Speaking

Top tips and speaking practice materials for the three parts

IELTS Vocabulary

Master essential vocabulary for success in the IELTS test

What’s IELTS

Have an overview of the IELTS test format & structure

One Word or Two

Master words that look like one but are two, or vice versa

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Some People Advocate Death Penalty for those Who Committed Violent Crimes- IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Aug 14, 2024

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Table of Contents

Sample essay.

Try AI Essay Checker for Instant Band Score

Some people advocate the death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the death penalty and give your opinion.

Advantages/Disadvantages essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay and mention that capital punishment is the right approach to severe offenders.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Talk about the advantages and exemplify them too.

Paragraph 2 – Implore the disadvantage of how the death penalty is wrong.

Restate your opinions.

Many people have the perspective that people who commit heinous crimes should be given capital punishment. In contrast, others believe it is not the right approach to punish serious offenders. However, I agree that we will become more vulnerable to violence without it.

On the one hand, compensating the victim’s life with the criminals’ life is an “an-eye-for-an-eye” justice. Apart from that, the cost of imprisonment is avoided. The money which is used in accommodation and budget food can be spared when criminals are punished with state-sanctioned killing. This money could be wisely spent elsewhere, like for the development of the society and the welfare of the people. Furthermore, this way of retribution may create fear in the mind of the perpetrators and many criminalities can be avoided.

On the other hand, no one has the right to take away anyone’s precious life, even for justice. The survival right is the ultimate prerogative of humankind. Additionally, extenuating circumstances and miscarriage of justice should be considered that make people face execution while being wrongfully convicted. Such unfair confinement can take away the lives of innocent people and make other citizens lose faith in law and justice. The right to live is the fundamental right of any human being, and no one can infringe this right, irrespective of the person’s actions.

In conclusion, although the death penalty is an unusual and inhumane method of punishing severe criminals, it is also the best deterrent. Besides, it proves to be the best way of controlling criminals, lessening governmental expenses and preventing other people from committing crimes.

Meaning – (of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked. Example – He got caught red-handed in the most heinous of crimes but she saved him.

Meaning – exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. Example – Limited water for washing leaves people vulnerable to skin diseases like scabies.

Meaning – a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action. Example – The father of the 16-year-old kidnap victim appealed to her abductors to release her.

Meaning – refrain from killing, injuring, or distressing. Example – Hundreds of dogs and their owners were spared from bad encounters with rattlers.

• Prerogative

Meaning – a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class. Example – Shades of yellow that included brown were the prerogative of the princes and princesses.

• Extenuating

Meaning – (of a factor or situation) serving to lessen the seriousness of an offence. Example – The two had a stimulating discussion about whether extenuating circumstances can ever justify murder.

Meaning – the carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person. Example – Jews faced execution by the Nazis during the First World War.

Meaning – breaking the terms of a law, agreement, etc.; violation. Example – If you infringe this particular law, it can lead to severe punishment.

• Confinement

Meaning – the action of confining or state of being confined. Example – Ken suggested that prisoners will be kept in solitary confinement.

Meaning – a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something Example – I have sympathy with anyone who has suffered a burglary, but I fail to see how any of these alarms had a deterrent effect.

• IELTS Essay Topics
• IELTS Sample essays
• IELTS Writing task 2 Tips
• Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Explore other Advantage Disadvantage Essays

Kasturika Samanta

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Haniya Yashfeen

Raajdeep Saha

IELTSMaterial Master Program

1:1 Live Training with Band 9 Teachers

4.9 ( 3452 Reviews )

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Email test -->

Please enter Email ID

Mobile Band 9 trainer -->

Please enter phone number

Application

Please select any one

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

Band 8+: Some people advocate death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society. Describe advantages and disadvantages of death penalty and give your opinion.

The debate over the death penalty is a complex and a polarizing issue, with strong arguments on both sides. Advocates often argue that capital punishment serves as a deterrent to violent crime, asserting that the fear of execution may prevent potential criminals from committing heinous acts. They believe that it provides a sense of justice for victims’ families, offering closure and a form of retribution against those who commit the most grievous offenses.

On the other hand, opponents of the death penalty bring up significant ethical and practical concerns. One major disadvantage is the potential for wrongful convictions. The judicial system is not flowless, there have been numerous cases where individuals on death row were later exonerated. This raises moral questions about a system that could execute an innocent person. Furthermore, there is ongoing debate about whether the death penalty effectively deters crime compared to life imprisonment. Studies have shown mixed results, indicating that the fear of life behind bars might be just as effective.

Another argument against capital punishment is its unreasonable application. Often, marginalized communities and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face higher rates of execution, suggesting systemic bias. Additionally, the financial cost of capital cases due to lengthy trials and appeals often exceeds that of life sentences, placing a burden on taxpayers.

In my opinion, while the desire for justice and safety is understandable, the risks associated with the death penalty, particularly the potential for irreversible mistakes, outweigh its claimed benefits. Societies should focus on rehabilitation and restoration of justice, creating a system that emphasizes healing over vengeance. This approach not only respects human rights but also fosters a more unbiased legal framework.

Check Your Own Essay On This Topic?

Generate a band-9 sample with your idea, overall band score, task response, coherence & cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range & accuracy, essays on the same topic:, some people advocate death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society. describe advantages and disadvantages of death penalty and give your opinion..

The topic of capital punishment is a highly debated topic at present, harbouring a multitude of opinions. Is it necessary for justice, or is it inhumane? Personally, I believe that the death penalty is necessary for justice to be served in highly violent crimes such as rape and murder. When discussing the pros of capital […]

The death penalty remains a contentious topic, with proponents asserting that it is vital for the efficacy of the security system within society. Although there are notable drawbacks associated with capital punishment, I contend that abolishing it would render society more susceptible to violent crime. Capital punishment is often deemed an inappropriate form of retribution […]

Capital punishment is legally killing some as consequence for a crime. In the realm of contemporary world, some citizens think this is an unethical way of punishing a criminal. With that, I would like to tackle about its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of death penalty is serving justice to the victims. A number […]

With the economic fallout today people intend to make money from good and bad ways. Some do it by theft and murdering people and for this reason capital punishment come in to the picture with some approving it but some are against it. I want to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the giving topic […]

Other Topics:

Governments should invest more in public transportation. do you agree or disagree.

These days, public transportation is becoming more well-liked and plays a key role in daily life. Many people suggest that the governments should invest more in them. From my point of view, I completely agree with this opinion. To begin with, there are two major reasons. Firstly, using bus lines has environmental benefits. This is […]

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that in the future, environmental problems will mean that we are unable to live on this planet. In order to survive, the human species will need to find another planet that can support life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Many individuals -worry- about the future of our planet, they believe that planet earth will soon be inhabitable because of the damange that humans have caused. And the only solution is escaping to a new planet, colonising it and starting a new life on it. While I agree that the our ecosystem is deteriorating, but […]

People nowadays tend to use more and more plastic bags, which leads to a lot of consequences. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve the problem?

Nowadays, residents are likely to use more and more only-use items such as plastic bags, which leads to many effects. My essay will analyze both causes and feasible solutions to this problem. There are a lot of reasons for this issue. Firstly, the cost of plastic bags is reasonable and even cheaper than other kinds […]

Many economies heavily depend on natural resources nowadays. Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of using natural resources as the means of country income and economic development.

At present, economic development in resource-rich developing countries focuses on the use and export of these resources as a primary source of government revenue and economic growth. Even though such economic strategy has a positive effect, including substantial income and increase in jobs, it also entails negative changes in the environment. Exporting mineral resources provides […]

Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you think this is a positive or negative social development?

There are many languages being spoken around the world. In the future, however, only one common language will become a communication tool all over the world. While there are some drawbacks to this development, I believe that the overall benefits make it a positive trend. On the one hand, one of the most significant negative […]

Many offenders commit more crimes after serving their first punishment. Why is this happening? What solution can be done?

There seems to be a debatable issue on which a plethora of lawbreakers violate more rules after executing their initial sentences. It is induced due to insufficient prison programs and mental health issues so officials should not turn a blind eye into these reasons. Now, i will put forward factors and possible silver bullets in […]

Plans & Pricing

Some people advocate death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society. Describe advantages and disadvantages of death penalty and give your opinion.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

• Capital punishment
• Contemporary society
• Violent crimes
• Retribution
• Cost-effectiveness
• Imprisonment
• Legal systems
• Heinous crimes
• Moral concerns
• Check your IELTS essay »
• Find essays with the same topic
• View collections of IELTS Writing Samples
• Show IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing. Do you think that this is a positive or negative development?

Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university. is this a positive or negative development, despite scientist's warning about protecting the environment, many people do not pay attention to this. what are the reasons for this and how can people be encouraged to save environment, some people think that getting a degree from university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be byeee to go straight into work and get experience instead. discuss both sides and give your opinion., you have recently started a new job. write a letter to your friend to tell her about it and invite for an evening meal. - describe how you feel about the job. - give directions to a meeting place. - give suggestions on where to stay, if she is coming from a different city.