What Determines Happiness? IELTS Writing Task 2 Guide
August 27, 2025
Zoos: Cruel or Protective? IELTS Writing Task 2 Guide
August 27, 2025
Juvenile crime is a serious concern in many societies. Some people argue that children who commit crimes should be directly punished, while others believe that parents should be held responsible for their children’s actions. In this blog post, we will explore both perspectives and provide a high-band IELTS essay example for candidates.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
“Some people believe that children who commit crimes should be punished. Others think the parents should be punished instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
Question Breakdown
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Topic | Responsibility for juvenile crime: children vs parents |
| View 1 | Children should be punished for their own crimes |
| View 2 | Parents should be held responsible for their children’s criminal behavior |
| Task | Discuss both views and provide your opinion |
Essay Planning Table
| Section | Content Ideas |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the question, outline both views |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Explain why children should face consequences: accountability, deterrence, understanding impact of actions |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Explain why parents should be held responsible: guidance, supervision, family influence |
| Body Paragraph 3 | Give personal opinion: combination of child accountability and parental responsibility |
| Conclusion | Summarise both views and restate opinion clearly |
Sample High-Band Essay (Approx. 270 words)
Juvenile crime is a growing concern, and opinions differ on who should be held accountable. Some people argue that children who commit crimes should face punishment directly, while others believe that parents should bear responsibility for their children’s actions. This essay will examine both perspectives before providing my own opinion.
On one hand, children should be punished for criminal behavior. Holding young offenders accountable helps them understand the consequences of their actions and can deter future misconduct. Punishment, whether through legal consequences or rehabilitative programs, teaches responsibility and encourages better decision-making. Ignoring the child’s role in the crime could lead to repeated offenses and a lack of moral understanding.
On the other hand, parents play a crucial role in shaping a child’s behavior. Negligent or abusive parenting can contribute significantly to juvenile delinquency. Holding parents responsible encourages them to provide proper guidance, supervision, and moral education, which can prevent future crimes. It also emphasizes the importance of family influence in developing socially responsible individuals.
In my opinion, a combination of both approaches is most effective. Children should face consequences appropriate to their age and understanding, while parents should be held accountable if negligence or poor supervision contributed to the offense. This balanced approach promotes responsibility at both individual and family levels.
In conclusion, both children and parents can play a role in addressing juvenile crime. While children must learn accountability, parental involvement and responsibility are equally important in preventing delinquent behavior and fostering a law-abiding society.
Key Vocabulary for IELTS Writing
- Juvenile crime, accountability, delinquency, criminal behavior
- Parental responsibility, guidance, supervision, moral education
- Deterrence, rehabilitative programs, repeated offenses, socially responsible
- Negligence, abusive parenting, influence, law-abiding society
Final Tips for IELTS Candidates
- Spend 5–7 minutes planning your essay before writing.
- Paraphrase the question in your introduction to demonstrate vocabulary range.
- Use linking words: however, moreover, on the other hand, in contrast.
- Support arguments with specific examples or hypothetical scenarios.
- Give a clear opinion in Body Paragraph 3 and the conclusion.
- Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and sentence clarity.
Unlock your IELTS success with UpScore IELTS!
Whether you prefer the flexibility of our engaging online classes or the interactive experience of our in-person sessions, UpScore offers expert-led training tailored to boost your band score. With personalized feedback, proven strategies, and comprehensive practice materials, we help you master every section of the IELTS exam, including writing tasks like the one below. Enroll today at upscoreielts.com and take the first step toward achieving your dream score!
Explore More Lessons on Recent IELTS Exam Questions Here:
