IELTS Vocabulary: Crime and Punishment
- Nov 30, 2015
- 5 min read
We have divided the below crimes into categories which are considered serious and those that are not.
Major Crimes
The list of crimes below are all nouns.
abduction = taking someone against their will (kidnapping)
arson = setting fire to a property
assault = a physical attack
burglary = illegal entry to a building with an intent to commit a crime
child abuse = maltreatment of a child
drug trafficking = importing illegal drugs
false imprisonment = imprisoning a person against their will
fraud = deception for personal or financial gain
hacking = unauthorised access to data in a computer system
hijacking = illegally getting control of an aircraft or vehicle
human trafficking =
murder (homicide USA)
premeditated murder = murder that is intentional (planned before hand)
unpremeditated murder – murder that is not intentional (not planned)
manslaughter – unintentional murder (synonym for unpremeditated murder)
attempted murder = planning to kill another person
patricide = killing one’s own father
genocide = systematic killing of a race or religious group
euthanasia = killing someone for their benefit
organised crime = crime by an organised gang or organisation
smuggling = illegal import or export
terrorism = unlawful violence or threat with political aims
white collar crime = financially motivated non-violent crime by a worker
Minor Crimes / Offences
pick pocketing = taking from another person’s pockets
shoplifting = taking products from a shop without paying for them
traffic offences =breaking the rules of the road and driving
drunk driving = drinking whilst under the influence of alcohol
jay walking = crossing the road at an designated spot
running a red light = going through traffic lights when they are red
speeding = driving over the speed limit
vandalism = deliberate destruction or damage to a building
Vocabulary to categoriese Criminals
This list shows the person relating to the crime (the perpetrator of the crime).
crime = criminal
murder = murderer
theft = thief
trafficking = trafficker
hijacking = hijacker
terrorism = terrorist
smuggling = smuggler
shoplifting = shoplifter
vandalism = vandal
teenage criminal/ juvenile delinquent
Types of Punishment Vocabulary
the death penalty (capital punishment) = punishment of death
a prison sentence (imprisonment) = imprisonment
life in prison
10 years
6 months
a suspended sentence = delaying of a sentence
forfeiture = property is taken away (confiscated)
hospital order = to confine someone to hospital under arrest
a fine = to pay money as a punishment for an offence
house arrest = imprisoned in one’s own house rather than in prison
to suspend a license = with holding a person’s right to use their driving license for a period of time
to revoke a license = to take away someone’s driving license
non-custodial sentence = a sentence which is not done in prison
community service = punishment by doing community work
Other Types of Punishment
This refers to punishment commonly used by schools and parents.
detention = to stay in school after hours for punishment
to give lines = punishment where a child must write the same sentence again and again
isolation = to be kept apart from others as a punishment
grounding = to be unable to go outside home as a punishment
scolding = an angry reprimand
corporal punishment = physical punishment from a teacher or headteacher at school
Court Language
judge = the person who controls the court proceedings
jury = a group of independent people who decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty
justice = fairness or court law
trial = legal proceedings to judge whether someone is guilty of a crime
court = the place where the trial is held
defendant = the accused person: the individual or group being accused in court of a crime
prosecutor = the lawyer against the accused person
defense = the lawyer protecting the accused person
witness = a person who sees an event happen
evidence = facts or information supporting the truth
proof = evidence supporting a claim
hearsay = rumour / unsubstantiated information
guilty = not innocent as judged by a court of law
innocent = found not guilty of a crime
to be found guilty = the court decided that the person did commit the crime
conviction / verdict = formal sentence of a court
circumstances of the crime = a condition or situation relating to a crime
extenuating circumstances = a condition that makes the crime or mistake less serious and more understandable
take into consideration = should be thought about carefully
circumstantial evidence = something that connects a person indirectly to the crime (for example, a finger print at a crime scene but no actual hard evidence or witness)
maximum / minimum sentence = highest penalty / lowest penalty
a harsh punishment = hard, strict penalty
penalty / punishment are synonyms but penalty is often used for both minor offences and major crimes.
Other Useful Crime & Punishment Vocabulary
crime is prevalent = there is a lot of crime
armed police = police who carry guns
to deter (n = deterrent) = to put someone off from doing something
discrimination = unjust treatment
to be soft on crime = not to have harsh or strict punishments
repeat offender = a person who has committed a crime or offence more than once
serial criminals = criminals who repeatedly commit the same crime
diminished responsibility = when someone is not in a state to be considered responsible for their own actions
rehabilitation = to restore someone through education or therapy
reintegrate back into society = help someone return into society
peer pressure = pressure from friends or colleagues
role models = people whose behaviour should be copied and respected
mimicking violent behaviour = to copy aggressive actions
Now have a Practice with Crime Vocabulary
Complete the sentences using one or more words either from the above lists or from other vocabulary relating to this topic. The sentence must be grammatically correct once you have added the right word(s).
The ………………. is the strongest deterrent against crime.
The number of ……………….. is on the rise due to the impact of peer pressure at school and violent movies shown on TV. Teenagers are prone to ……………. aggressive behaviour.
All people accused of a crime should be given a fair ……………. in a ………… of law.
People who are convicted a murder from only ………………………. evidence should not receive the death penalty.
The motives of a crime should always be taking into consideration. For example. there is a significant difference in the character of a person who commits ……………… murder and one who commits accidental murder.
A ………….. sentence is more humane than capital punishment.
Punishment should be the last resort. Instead criminals should be …………………….
People who commit ……….. crimes, such as traffic offences, should have their ……………….. revoked.
Famous people, such as movie stars, should set a good ………… and ensure that they are good …………….. for young people to follow.
…………… and the right to a fair ……………. should be the right of all citizens.
Parents who inflict ……………… punishment on their children are showing children that …………….. is an acceptable way to deal with problems.
Prison does not rehabilitate criminals, it only …………. them from society. …………….. service and rehabilitation is a better way to avoid criminals becoming ………………….
Answers
death penalty (the answer can’t be “capital punishment” because it doesn’t use the article “the”)
juvenile delinquents / mimic
trial / court
circumstantial
premeditated
life
rehabilitated
minor / licenses
example / role models
Justice / trial
corporal / violence
removes / Community / repeat offenders
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