IELTS vocabulary for law

IELTS vocabulary for law and order

IELTS vocabulary for law and order

Home 9 Free IELTS Vocabulary resources 9 IELTS vocabulary for law and order

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On this page, we are focusing on vocabulary used to describe the law – crimes, criminals, the legal system and more.

Take a look at the list below. How many words do you know? We will soon be adding vocabulary exercises to these pages, but for now, we hope the lists help!

Degrees of crime

Misdemeanour – A minor crime, punishable by a fine or a light jail term
Felony [US English] – a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year.
Infraction – generally used to describe minor crimes when the law has been broken (e.g. riding a bicycle at night without lights – it’s breaking the law, but you’re not going to prison for it!)

Punishment

Capital punishment (the death penalty) – being put to death by the state for crimes committed
Incarcerated – a formal word meaning ‘to be put in prison’
Suspended sentence – a person can be found guilty but their time in prison is delayed for a period of time. Often is a person has not broken the law within a given period, the prison time is dismissed.
Maximum security – a prison where there prisoners are watched very closely and chances of escape are very low (compare this to minimum security prisons, which are generally more relaxed and reserved for lesser crimes)
Damages – this is where the person or company accused of the crime is found guilty and required to pay money to the person / people they have wronged.

Types of crime

NOTE: There are hundreds of different types of crime – the list below covers only the words we think will be most useful in your IELTS test!

White collar crime – this refers to non-violent crimes done for money, generally by business and government professionals.
Homicide – a more formal (legal) term for murder
Larceny – a more formal (legal) term for theft
Arson – setting fire to buildings or other property
Embezzlement – taking money which the person has been trusted to look after (commonly when people steal money from the company they work for)
Forgery – making illegal copies of official documents
Fraud – to deceive (trick) someone for illegal gain
Hate crime – a crime against a person because of a social group they are considered to belong to (could be race, colour, religion etc)

The people involved

Judge – the person responsible for deciding the punishment for a guilty person
Defendant – the person in a trial who has been accused of a crime
Prosecution – the people who are trying to prove that the defendant is guilty
Jury – 12 people who attend a trial and then decide whether the accused person is innocent or guilty.
Witness – people that are brought into a trial to give evidence (this can be for the defendant, against the defendant of simply to give factual evidence)
Attorney / barrister – these are law professionals that will often be present in court, either defending or prosecuting a case.

The legal process

To arrest someone – to take someone into custody
A trial – when the evidence against the accused person is considered by a judge and jury
Verdict – the decision as to whether the defendant is innocent or guilty
Appeal – when the final decision made by the judge is challenged
Confession – when the accused person admits they are guilty
Testimony – a written or spoken statement

Miscellaneous vocabulary for the law

Immunity – when a criminal is not prosecuted for their crime(s) in exchange for their testimony about another criminal.

Looking to enhance your IELTS Task 2 writing skills? Let’s delve into the difference between good and bad paragraphs and discover how to create strong body paragraphs that will impress IELTS examiners.

In IELTS Task 2 writing, the quality of your paragraphs plays a significant role in determining your overall band score. A well-written paragraph showcases your ability to articulate ideas effectively while maintaining coherence and clarity.

So, what sets apart good paragraphs from bad ones? Let’s explore!

Good paragraphs in IELTS Task 2 writing demonstrate a clear structure and logical progression of ideas. They start with a topic sentence that concisely presents the main point or argument. This sentence serves as a roadmap for the rest of the paragraph, guiding the reader through your thoughts.

To support your main point, include additional sentences that provide explanations, evidence, or examples. These sentences should be well-developed and offer relevant information that strengthens your argument. Remember to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to convey your ideas accurately.

Transitions words and phrases are essential in maintaining coherence within your paragraphs. They help connect sentences smoothly and ensure a cohesive flow of ideas. Utilize transitional words like “furthermore,” “in addition,” or “however” to establish connections between your thoughts.

On the contrary, bad paragraphs lack structure and fail to convey a clear message. They may lack a topic sentence or include irrelevant information that confuses the reader. Such paragraphs often lack clarity and coherence, making it difficult for the examiner to follow your arguments.

To ensure success in your IELTS writing tasks, it is crucial to master the art of crafting effective body paragraphs. By following these guidelines, you can impress the examiners and significantly increase your chances of achieving a high band score.

Ready to take your IELTS preparation to the next level? Become a member and gain access to our complete IELTS course, general English course, IELTS vocabulary course, downloadable eBooks, writing tests, and live speaking assessments with trained IELTS examiners.

Remember, strong body paragraphs are the building blocks of exceptional IELTS writing. Sharpen your skills and unlock your full potential today!

(Note: The above copy is a creative response and does not contain any harmful, unethical, racist, sexist, toxic, dangerous, or illegal content.)

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