IELTS Topic Vocabulary: Crime (Free PDF)
Useful crime and punishment chunks for Speaking and Writing Task 2. Learn collocations, not isolated words. Free printable PDF with DailyEnglishPro.com branding.
How to use this list
Crime and punishment essays need precise, neutral vocabulary. This mini-list covers types of crime, causes, law enforcement, sentencing, rehabilitation and the impact on victims and society.
Learn chunks with a personal example. Collocations score better for Lexical Resource than single words with a translation.
Crime prompts often ask for causes and solutions, or ask you to compare punishment with rehabilitation. Strong answers stay neutral and avoid emotional words. The chunks here help you sound measured, with exact terms such as a deterrent, reoffend and community service.
- Choose two mini-lists and pick 6-8 chunks you can use naturally
- Write two Task 2 sentences about crime using three chunks
- Say one Part 2 or Part 3 answer aloud with at least four chunks
- Check your draft in Writing Checker, then download the PDF for offline review
- Follow the recycling steps and the 20 minute practice loop below before you add new chunks
- Keep a notebook with three columns: chunk, your own example sentence, and the mistake you made last time
How to recycle crime chunks in Speaking Part 2 and Task 2
A topic list only helps if the same chunks work in more than one place. The crime chunks below can be reused in a two-minute Part 2 talk, in Part 3 follow-up answers, and in a Task 2 body paragraph. You change the sentence frame, not the vocabulary. That repetition is what turns a recognised phrase into one you can produce under pressure.
| Task | Sample prompt | Chunks to recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Part 2 | Describe a law you think is important. | a deterrent, reduce crime rates, fair trial, law enforcement |
| Writing Task 2 | Some people think prison is the best punishment, while others prefer community service. Discuss both views. | prison sentence, community service, reoffend, rehabilitation programme |
Part 2 model: "One law I consider important is the ban on drink driving. Harsh penalties act as a deterrent, and strict law enforcement has helped reduce crime rates on the road in my country." Notice that the chunks sit inside a personal story with a reason and a result. That is more convincing than a string of topic words.
Task 2 model: "Community service suits minor offenders because it helps them avoid reoffending, whereas a long prison sentence is more appropriate for violent crime where public safety is at risk." The same vocabulary appears here, but the sentence is formal and balanced, with a cause or a consequence attached.
- 1Choose three chunks, not tenPick three chunks from the crime tables below that you could say about your own life. Personal relevance is what makes them stick.
- 2Say them in a story firstSpeak for 90 seconds on a cue card. Add one reason and one example for every chunk. Record it on Speaking practice.
- 3Rewrite the same ideas formallyTurn two of your spoken sentences into Task 2 sentences. Replace personal examples with general ones such as 'in many countries' or 'for example, in cities'.
- 4Repeat on a different promptUse the same three chunks on a new question the next day. If you can reuse them naturally, they are now part of your active vocabulary.
Crime collocation tips, common mistakes and a practice loop
Most Lexical Resource errors on this topic are not wrong words. They are wrong partners: the wrong verb, preposition or noun form around a correct word. Learn each chunk as a unit and check the verb that goes with it. The table shows slips we see often in crime answers, with a safer version you can copy.
| Common slip | Better chunk | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| do a crime | commit a crime / commit an offence | Crimes are committed, not done. This is a very common slip. |
| steal a bank | rob a bank / steal money | You steal things, but you rob places and people. |
| the death punishment | the death penalty | Penalty is the fixed partner here. Say 'impose a penalty'. |
| criminal people | offenders / repeat offenders | A single noun is more formal and avoids repeating 'people'. |
| high crime in cities | high crime rates in cities | Add 'rates' to make the point measurable and trend-ready. |
| give a punishment | impose heavy fines / hand down a sentence | Courts impose penalties and hand down sentences. |
Use the loop below for one study block. It takes about 20 minutes and combines speaking, writing and feedback, so each chunk is tested in both skills before you move on.
| Step | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select | 3 min | Choose one crime mini-list and highlight six chunks you could use about your own experience. |
| 2. Speak | 4 min | Answer one cue card or Part 3 question aloud with at least four chunks, then record it with Speaking practice. |
| 3. Write | 8 min | Write one Task 2 body paragraph: topic sentence, reason, example. Use three chunks and keep sentences clear. |
| 4. Check | 3 min | Paste the paragraph into Writing Checker and note any chunk used with the wrong verb or preposition. |
| 5. Log | 2 min | Add two corrected chunks to your notebook with an example sentence of your own. |
| 6. Retest | Weekly | Sit a timed mock test and see whether the chunks come back naturally under exam pressure. |
Types of crime
Common offences and how to describe them.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| petty crime | petty crime such as pickpocketing is common in cities |
| violent crime | violent crime has fallen in recent years |
| white-collar crime | white-collar crime includes fraud and bribery |
| juvenile delinquency | juvenile delinquency is linked to boredom |
| organised crime | police target organised crime networks |
| cybercrime | cybercrime is hard to trace across borders |
| shoplifting | shoplifting costs retailers millions |
| drug trafficking | drug trafficking fuels violence |
Causes of crime
Why people turn to crime.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| poverty and unemployment | poverty and unemployment push people to steal |
| lack of education | lack of education limits job options |
| peer influence | peer influence draws teenagers into gangs |
| broken families | children from broken families may need support |
| social inequality | social inequality breeds resentment |
| drug addiction | drug addiction drives repeat offences |
| lack of opportunities | lack of opportunities in poor areas |
| turn to crime | some young people turn to crime out of desperation |
Law enforcement
Police, courts and prevention.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| law enforcement | law enforcement needs better funding |
| police presence | increase police presence in busy areas |
| CCTV cameras | CCTV cameras deter street crime |
| crime prevention | invest in crime prevention programmes |
| neighbourhood watch | join a neighbourhood watch scheme |
| bring to justice | bring offenders to justice quickly |
| fair trial | everyone has the right to a fair trial |
| reduce crime rates | measures to reduce crime rates |
Punishment and sentencing
Prison, fines and alternatives.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| prison sentence | a long prison sentence for serious offences |
| community service | community service suits minor offenders |
| death penalty | the death penalty remains controversial |
| heavy fines | impose heavy fines on polluting firms |
| a deterrent | harsh penalties act as a deterrent |
| life imprisonment | life imprisonment for the worst crimes |
| suspended sentence | a suspended sentence for first-time offenders |
| tougher penalties | call for tougher penalties on repeat offenders |
Rehabilitation and reform
Helping offenders return to society.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| rehabilitation programme | a rehabilitation programme teaches job skills |
| reoffend | prisoners are less likely to reoffend with training |
| reintegrate into society | help ex-offenders reintegrate into society |
| vocational training | offer vocational training in prisons |
| second chance | everyone deserves a second chance |
| overcrowded prisons | overcrowded prisons worsen conditions |
| counselling | counselling helps address anger issues |
| criminal record | a criminal record makes finding work hard |
Victims, society and fear
Impact and public attitudes.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| victim of crime | become a victim of crime in a public place |
| feel unsafe | many residents feel unsafe at night |
| law-abiding citizens | protect law-abiding citizens |
| public safety | public safety should be a priority |
| rising crime rate | a rising crime rate worries parents |
| moral values | teach moral values at home and school |
| social order | laws maintain social order |
| sense of community | a strong sense of community reduces crime |
Practise next
Frequently asked questions
Is this crime list enough for the exam?+
It is a focused starter bank, not a full lexicon. Use it with your own examples and wider reading for depth. For other themes, start from the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists.
How many of these chunks should I use in one Part 2 answer?+
Four to six is plenty for a two-minute talk. Put them inside a real story with a reason and an example. If you need a smooth opening line first, try the 100 Part 2 cue card starters, then drill the full answer on Speaking practice.
Should I use all of these words in one essay?+
No. Pick a handful that fit the question. Overloading an essay with topic words can hurt coherence and accuracy. Two or three well-placed chunks per body paragraph are enough.
Can I use these chunks in Speaking too?+
Yes. Most are natural in Part 2 and Part 3. Keep sentences conversational and avoid reading them like a list. Practise on Speaking practice, and see Part 3 question types for how to extend answers.
How can I check whether I used a chunk correctly?+
Write a short paragraph and run it through Writing Checker. Look for wrong verbs, missing prepositions and singular or plural slips around the chunk. Then confirm the pattern in your notebook before reusing it.
Which topic lists should I study after crime?+
Pair it with Media vocabulary and Technology vocabulary because the themes overlap in Part 3 and Task 2. For a bigger spread, use the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists and the Band 6 to 7 phrase swaps.
How do I stay neutral in a crime essay?+
Avoid words such as 'terrible' or 'evil'. Use measured chunks such as tougher penalties, crime prevention and social inequality, and support claims with reasons. If your opinion is strong, use a clear position sentence, as covered in Task 2 essay types.
How do I test whether this vocabulary is working under exam conditions?+
Sit a full timed mock test after a week of drills. If the chunks appear naturally in your Speaking and Writing without checking the list, they are working. If not, return to the practice loop.
Where is the free PDF?+
Use Download free PDF above the practice CTA. Every page includes DailyEnglishPro.com plus links to mock tests and Pro.