Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure – IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay

The IELTS Writing Task 2 topic, "Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure", is one of the essay types which you might encounter. This topic gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to reason with logical coherence while maintaining the essay structure. 

In this essay type of IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to take a firm stance as to whether the lack of harsh punishment negatively affects the safety of society. Even though the sample answers are provided, you can simulate real exam conditions and attempt writing. This will make you polish your writing skills as well as build confidence for test day.

Steps for Answering IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

While writing for the IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’, you should remember to keep a few points in mind. This particular question addresses the role of capital punishment in ensuring safety and security. Whether you agree or disagree, your task is to present a clear argument supported by relevant examples, all within 40 minutes, to get a higher IELTS Band Score.

The table below showcases the steps which you can follow to brainstorm ideas and then logically arrange ideas while writing the essay.

Check out the video below to know more on How to write IELTS Agree-Disagree Essay in 10 Minutes?

Question -  IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

Structure Breakdown for IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

A good outline will help you earn a higher score of 8+. This will provide conciseness and coherence to your answer, without deviating into a different topic area. For the Agree Disagree Essays in IELTS, you must have a structure breakdown to refer to so that you can stay on track. Let’s check out the outline for the essay topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’.

Sample Answer 1 for  IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

In a bid for additional security, controversy has marred whether to issue capital punishment or not. Experts and concerned citizens are divided over its implementation and if it actually deters crimes. I am of the opinion that death penalties are necessary to maintain a safe environment.

To start with, capital punishment has always been used as a method to deter crime, even before democracies existed. In monarchies, they were extensively used, and crimes were reduced partly because of the fear of being awarded the death penalty. In recent times, capital punishments, like in the USA and Taiwan, have been awarded for fending off criminals and maintaining a safe environment for the local people.

Moreover, death penalties should be awarded in extreme scenarios and should be used sparingly. People are innately afraid of death. Hence capital punishments act as a good deterrent against crime. It also helps the local police, acts as a measure to ensure that re-offending doesn’t take place, curtails retribution, and makes lives feel safer at the end of the day.

In addition to that, capital punishments reduce crimes, but an argument can be made for pleading human decency for the accused, as a democracy values all lives equally. Death penalties also set a wrong precedent for the people as those in power have misused them. All in all, death penalties need to be used sparingly and in extreme scenarios but should not be discarded altogether.

In conclusion, the topic of capital punishment is debatable and has strong views from either side. I feel it is a necessary evil that contributes to maintaining law and order in society.

Vocabulary of Sample Answer 1 for  IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

• Bid

Meaning – command or order (someone) to do something.
Example – Sahil bids strong actions from his subordinates.

• Marred

Meaning – impair or affect the appearance of something.
Example – Controversy has marred the governmental employment schemes.

• Deters

Meaning – discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
Example – Death penalty deters crimes.

• Fend off

Meaning – to defend oneself from something.
Example – Pepper spray and other tools can be used to fend off criminals.

• Sparingly

Meaning – in a restricted or infrequent manner.
Example – Consumption of paracetamol tablets should be done sparingly.

• Deterrent

Meaning – a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
Example – Her superiority complex acts as a deterrent to make new friends.

• Curtails

Meaning – reduce in extent or quantity.
Example – Military coups curtail the civil liberties and freedom of individuals.

• Retribution

Meaning – punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
Example – He reminded himself not to act out in anger to seek retribution.

• Pleading

Meaning – the action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.
Example – Tarun is pleading not guilty in the robbery case.

• Precedent

Meaning – an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
Example – The judgment set a new precedent.

Sample Answer 2 for  IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

Many believe that the death penalty is necessary for criminals because individuals cannot agree to co-existence with them while others say that severe punishment is not appropriate. I personally think that everyone gets a second chance and therefore criminals should not be sentenced to death.

To begin with, there are many ways of punishing criminals other than sentencing them to the death penalty which can also be a question about solemnity. To elaborate it further, the punishments should be given according to the seriousness of the crime someone has committed. For example, in the case of major crimes, convicts would have a life imprisonment. Hence, they would reflect upon their actions and behaviour while acknowledging the detrimental impacts on the society.

Additionally, not every offender breaks a certain law deliberately because there are certain individuals with psychiatric disorders due to which they are not capable of controlling themselves. Such people must be sent to get imperative medical treatment  while being isolated from other patients. For instance, programs that will help one to fit themselves back out into society should be put in place. Hence, with guidance, the offender will cease to be a recidivist and will try their best to form their own values and beliefs.

To conclude, I firmly oppose a view that every convict should be served capital punishment since other forms of penalties shouldn't be shied away. Without proper guidance, the chance of becoming a criminal is extremely high.

Vocabulary of Sample Answer 2 for  IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay Topic ‘Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure’

• Solemnity

Meaning – The state or quality of being serious, dignified, or formal.
Example – The solemnity of the graduation ceremony made every one of us emotional.

• Convicts

Meaning – Those people who are lawfully declared guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court.
Example – There were more than 500 convicts in the jail who were serving long-term sentences.

• Detrimental

Meaning – Causing harm or damage.
Example – Smoking is detrimental to one's health.

• Imperative 

Meaning – Extremely important or urgent or anything which is necessary.
Example – It is imperative to submit your quiz application before the deadline.

• Isolated

Meaning – Separated from others or remote or alone.
Example – The village was isolated from the rest of the country due to heavy snowfall.

• Recidivist

Meaning – Someone who commits crimes repeatedly after getting conviction or punishment.
Example – The judge sentenced the convict more severely on the grounds because he was always a recidivist.

Go through the sample answers for the essay to polish your writing skills before sitting for the IELTS Exam. Remember that if you note down your areas of improvement and work on them, you will acquire the skills that will help you prepare better for the Writing Task 2 section. So, explore more topics and become familiar with the specific structures so that by the time the actual exam comes, you will have gained the knowledge to attempt questions with confidence.

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