Beyond Bars and Bandits: Advanced IELTS Vocab for Exploring Crime and Punishment

Crime and punishment vocabulary: Individuals who wish to get a band score of 8 or 9 in their IELTS must strive to expand their lexicon repository. A stronghold in crime and punishment vocabulary can bolster your chances of securing better scores in IELTS speaking and writing assessments. Having an extensive repertoire of crime and punishement vocabulary can help you express your ideas eloquently in IELTS speaking. That said, read the complete blog to learn more about IELTS crime and punishment vocabulary. 

35+ IELTS Crime and Punishment Vocabulary in 2024 

IELTS Vocabulary: Mastering crime vocabulary boosts your IELTS performance. Specific terms like “petty theft” or “embezzlement” showcase fluency. Using synonyms for “criminal” (perpetrator, offender) adds variety. 

Discussing crime’s impact (deterrence, rehabilitation) demonstrates a deeper understanding. Here is a curated list of some of the most commonly used crime and punishment vocabulary. Refer to the list below to secure a better band score in IELTS. 

Word	Meaning
Accomplice	A person who helps another commit a crime.
Accused	A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.
Acquittal	A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged.
Arson	The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
Assault	The tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend.
Bail	Temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
Conviction	A serious crime, typically one involving violence, is regarded as more serious than a misdemeanour.
Criminal	A person who has committed a crime.
Defendant	An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
Embezzlement	Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer.
Felony	Not guilty of a crime or offence.
Fraud	Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Homicide	The deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another.
Imprisonment	The state of being imprisoned; captivity.
Incarceration	The state of being confined in prison; imprisonment.
Indictment	A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime
Innocent	The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour
Misdemeanor	A minor wrongdoing or a less serious crime.
Offense	A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
Parole	The offence of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation.
Perjury	A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Plaintiff	A formal declaration by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge that someone is guilty of a criminal offence.
Prosecution	The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Recidivism	A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence.
Rehabilitation	The action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.
Robbery	The action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.
Sentence	The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offense
Shoplifting	The criminal action of stealing goods from a shop while pretending to be a customer.
Suspect	A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offense.
Testimony	A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
Theft	The action or crime of stealing.
Trafficking	The illegal trade of goods or services, typically drugs or humans.
Trial	A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Vandalism	Action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
Verdict	A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.

IELTS Crime and Punishment Vocabulary: Top 10 Idioms and Phrases in 2024

Idioms and phrases are crucial in the IELTS exam as they demonstrate a high level of language proficiency. Using idiomatic expressions appropriately can make writing and speaking more natural and fluent, helping to convey ideas more effectively. They also reflect a deeper understanding of English culture and nuances, potentially boosting overall scores.

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Behind bars	In prison	After the trial, he was sentenced to ten years behind bars.
Break the law	To do something illegal.	If you break the law, you must be prepared to face the consequences.
Do time	To spend time in prison	He did time for armed robbery.
Face the music	To confront the consequences of one’s actions.	After years of evading taxes, he finally had to face the music.
Get away with murder	To do something very bad without being punished.	He’s so spoiled that he gets away with murder at home.
Lay down the law	To enforce rules strictly.	The new principal laid down the law and made it clear that bullying would not be tolerated.
On the run	Fleeing or hiding from the authorities.	The escaped convict has been on the run for three days.
Serve time	To spend time in prison as a punishment.	He served time for tax evasion.
Take the law into one’s own hands	To take action to enforce the law without legal authority.	The villagers took the law into their own hands and caught the thief before the police arrived.
Throw the book at someone	To punish someone as severely as possible.	The judge decided to throw the book at him due to the severity of his crimes.

How to Improve Your IELTS Crime and Punishment Vocabulary? 

Improving your IELTS vocabulary is a crucial step in achieving a high score in the exam. A robust vocabulary allows for more precise expression, enhances comprehension, and reflects a higher level of language proficiency. Here are several effective strategies to enhance your vocabulary for the IELTS exam:

1. Read Extensively

Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary. Engage with a variety of texts, including newspapers, academic journals, novels, and online articles. Pay special attention to the context in which new words are used. This not only helps in understanding the meaning of the words but also in grasping their connotations and nuances.

2. Use a Vocabulary Journal

Maintaining a vocabulary journal is an excellent way to keep track of new words. Write down unfamiliar words along with their definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences. Regularly review your journal to reinforce your learning and ensure long-term retention.

3. Learn Word Families

Understanding word families can significantly expand your vocabulary. For instance, knowing the noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms of a word enables you to use it in various contexts. For example, the word “educate” has related forms such as “education” (noun), “educational” (adjective), and “educator” (noun).

4. Practice with Flashcards

Flashcards are a practical tool for vocabulary building. You can create physical flashcards or use digital apps. Write the word on one side of the card and its definition and example sentence on the other. Regularly test yourself to reinforce your memory.

5. Engage in Active Usage

Incorporate new vocabulary into your speaking and writing. Practising active usage helps in better retention and understanding. Try to use new words in sentences, essays, and conversations. This practice will not only solidify your learning but also improve your fluency and confidence.

6. Study Synonyms and Antonyms

Learning synonyms and antonyms can help you understand the full range of a word’s meaning. This knowledge allows you to choose the most appropriate word based on the context, thereby enhancing the quality of your writing and speaking.

7. Use Online Resources

Numerous online resources and apps are available to aid in vocabulary building. Websites such as Quizlet, Memrise, and Anki offer customized flashcards and quizzes. Additionally, online dictionaries and thesauruses provide detailed word explanations and examples.

So that was all about IELTS crime and punishment vocabulary. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

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