AssessmentResults — 30 Jul 2026, 11:42

Assessment Results

AI examiner feedback calibrated to official IELTS Writing Task 2 band descriptors.

DiscussionCrimeIntermediate30 Jul 2026, 11:42287 words

Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

Overall Band Score

6.0/ 9.0

Competent User

Rounded per IELTS convention from criterion average 6.00

Task Response

6.0

Competent User

Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts more fully than others.

Coherence & Cohesion

6.0

Competent User

Arranges information coherently with clear overall progression.

Lexical Resource

5.5

Modest User

Uses a limited range of vocabulary; makes noticeable errors in word choice.

GRA

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

6.5

Competent User

Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms; makes some errors.

Criterion Profile

Band scores across all four assessment criteria

Your Score

Band 7 Target

Error Annotation Legend

Click any highlighted error to see the explanation

Grammar6

Vocabulary6

Cohesion1

Punctuation0

Total errors:13

Nowadays, crime is a major problem in many countries and (governments) are always looking for effective solutions. Some people believe that longer prison sentences are the best way to (reduce crime), while others think that alternative approaches are more effective. In this essay, I will discuss both perspectives and give my opinion.

On one hand, longer prison sentences can be a strong deterrent for (potential offenders). When people know that they will spend many years in prison, they may think twice before (committing crimes). Furthermore, keeping offenders in prison for longer periods means they cannot (cause harm) to society during their incarceration. (However, some studies show) that long prison sentences do not always stop people from reoffending after release.

On the other hand, there are (several more effective) ways to reduce crime. Education and rehabilitation programmes can help offenders (to become useful members) of society. Moreover, community service can be very (beneficial) because it allows offenders to give back to the community and learn important skills. (This rehabilitative approach) is especially important for young offenders who have the potential to change their behaviour.

In conclusion, while longer prison sentences can (deter some criminal behaviour), I believe that (a combination of punitive and rehabilitative measures is more effective than) relying on harsh sentences alone. (Governments) should invest in both approaches to create a safer and more just society.

Error Summary

Error Type	Original	Correction	Explanation
Grammar	the government	governments	The plural form "governments" is required here as the sentence refers to multiple countries. Using the definite article "the" with a singular noun is incorrect in this generalising context.
Vocabulary	reduce the criminal activities	reduce crime	"Reduce the criminal activities" is an unnatural collocation. The idiomatic expression is simply "reduce crime" or "reduce criminal behaviour."
Vocabulary	criminal people	potential offenders	"Criminal people" is an imprecise and informal expression. The appropriate academic term is "offenders," "potential offenders," or "would-be criminals."
Grammar	do crimes	committing crimes	The verb "do" does not collocate with "crimes." The correct collocation is "commit a crime." Additionally, the gerund form "committing" is required after "before."
Vocabulary	make damage	cause harm	"Make damage" is a collocation error. The correct expressions are "cause harm," "cause damage," or "inflict harm."
Grammar	However, some studies shows	However, some studies show	Subject-verb agreement error. The plural subject "studies" requires the base form of the verb "show," not the third-person singular "shows."
Vocabulary	many other good	several more effective	"Many other good" is vague and informal. In academic writing, use precise qualifiers such as "several more effective" or "a number of arguably superior."
Grammar	to become a useful member	to become useful members	Number agreement error. "Offenders" is plural, so the complement must also be plural: "useful members of society."
Vocabulary	beneficially	beneficial	Word form error. "Beneficially" is an adverb; the adjective "beneficial" is required here as a predicative complement after "be."
Cohesion	This	This rehabilitative approach	Vague pronoun reference. "This" lacks a clear antecedent. Replace with a specific noun phrase such as "This rehabilitative approach" to maintain cohesive clarity.
Vocabulary	deter some criminal activities	deter some criminal behaviour	"Deter criminal activities" is an unnatural collocation. "Deter criminal behaviour" or "deter crime" are the idiomatic forms.
Grammar	a combination of punitive and rehabilitative measures is more effective then	a combination of punitive and rehabilitative measures is more effective than	Spelling/grammar error. "Then" is a temporal adverb; the comparative conjunction required here is "than."
Grammar	The governement	Governments	Spelling error: "governement" should be "government." Additionally, the generalising context requires the plural "Governments" without the definite article.