雅思写作难点解析之犯罪类话题
朗阁海外考试研究中心
在雅思写作中，提到犯罪类的写作话题，很多学生会觉得其中的一些内容是十分陌生的，而且在面对这类写作话题时，会时常感到无从下手，不知从何谈起。以下是与犯罪类有关的三大原则，考生如将这几大原则灵活地运用到自己的文章中去，即使再碰到类似话题，也不会措手不及了。
量刑原则
1. Some people believe that there should beklkn fixed punishment for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Arguments for fixed punishment:
1. 固定惩罚可以确保公正性
Fixed punishment is a sure measure to avoid any unfairness occurring in the court of law, guaranteeing the justice of laws, regardless of their gender, race, religion, social status, etc.
2. 固定惩罚可以起到震慑作用
This kind of penalty exerts a deterring effect on the potential criminals, i.e., if someone is inclined to commit some offenses, they would not make decisions easily.
Arguments against fixed punishment:
1. 在一些特殊情况下的犯罪可以减刑
Some offenders do not intend to do illegal deeds, but either are forced to do so or are for self-protection purposes.
2. 有些犯罪动机可以得到豁免
Under such circumstances as natural disasters, many people steal some necessities in order to go through these difficulties, like stealing food from the grocery or markets or drugs from the hospital or clinic, which is fully justified for them to be exempt from these crimes.
2. Can capital punishment (death penalty) ever be justified?
Arguments against capital punishment:
1. 死刑只是对罪犯的一种处罚，而并不能够将犯罪行为中受害者生命挽回，或者赔偿其所遭受的伤害。
Capital punishment, which even though manages to bring the criminals to justice, could by no means compensate for physical, mental and psychological sufferings inflicted on victims, or in some extreme cases, bring back their lives.
2. 无论一个人犯多大的错误，其他人都无权剥夺其生命。（人权）
It is entirely unjustified to deprive one of his/her rights to live regardless of how insanely severe and cruel the offenses he/she has committed are. （This subject matter has boiled down to the controversial issue of human rights.）
Arguments for capital punishment:
1. 如果死刑犯没有受到为严厉的惩罚，那么这对受害者是不公平的。
It would be only fair for the victims if the criminals are subject to the greatest fear of all—death.
2. 如果死刑取消的话，那么很多潜在的罪犯就不会顾忌做出一些极为可怕的犯罪行为。
If capital punishment is ever to be done away with, the potential wrong-doers wouldn’t be deterred from committing staggeringly serious offenses among which serial murder proves particularly appalling.
惩处罪犯原则
1. Should criminals be sent to prisons or placed on education and job retraining?
Arguments for prison:
1. 监狱同教育或就业培训相比有很强的阻吓作用，这样可以有效地抑制犯罪率的上升。
In stark contrast to placing criminals on educational courses or employment retraining, prisons appeared more effective in deterring potential, would-be wrongdoers from committing crimes, thus drastically decreasing the likelihood of rising crime rate.
2. 监狱更多地对罪犯来说是一种惩罚，因此能够避免再犯。
Imprisonment is a punitive measure imposed on criminals who are highly unlikely to turn into a recidivist in consideration of their fear of setting foot into jails ever again.
Arguments for education and job retraining:
1. 罪犯在监狱里所被包围的是一群囚犯，这对罪犯的改造不是好的，反而是不好的影响。接受教育可以让罪犯在一个积极的环境里，真正地意识到对与错。
Surrounded by people who probably have committed even more serious charges, the “new” criminals are exposed to such destructive impact. Education serves to correct any misconception or eliminate twisted thoughts they have by immersing them in a positive environment.
2. 大多数罪犯往往是没有什么文化知识和生存技能，出狱后通常很难找到工作。教育和就业培训能够让他们在日后的生活中靠自己生存下去，而不至于因为没有收入来源而再次误入歧途。
A significant proportion of criminals are sadly illiterate without adequate fundamental knowledge and survival skills and it would not be easy for them to find a decent job after being released from the jail. With convenient access to education and job retraining, they are able to survive by themselves, greatly reducing the chance of becoming a recidivist in times when they are financially challenged.
2. Sending criminals to prison is not the best method of dealing with them. Education and job training are better ways to help them. Do you agree or disagree?
在支持把犯人送入监狱的观点与上文一样。
有其他更好的方法，可以提及再教育、职业培训、社区服务、罚款等方法都是更可行的惩罚方式。这些方式既能有效地惩罚犯罪，又为社会创造了财富。
此外，比起惩罚，预防才是降低犯罪治本的办法，政府应当加强媒体宣传，增强民众法制观念，关心弱势群体。
青少年犯罪原则
In many parts of the world children and teenagers are committing more crimes.
Why is this case happening? How should children or teenagers be punished?
青少年犯罪的原因：
1. 家庭：存在家庭暴力的家庭和被父母忽视甚至虐待的家庭中的孩子更有可能犯罪。
The soaring crime rate of teenagers is mainly due to the family, ranging from the domestic violence to entire ignorance to parental spoil.
2. 媒体：电视、电脑游戏、网络中充斥着大量的暴力与内容。
The violence and pornography are so common on the internet that children and teenagers are highly exposed to this kind of inappropriate information.
惩罚方法：
1. 再教育reeducation
A large number of teenagers commit crimes are partly because of their ignorance in the knowledge of laws and regulations, having no idea of the responsibility they will assume if they do such illegal things. Giving them education will be an effective way to make them be aware of their guilty.
2. 社区服务community service
Community service enables these people to take the responsibility of making up for their crimes.
如果考试能将上文中出现的思想和句子与自己的文章进行很好的融化，那么对于这种类型的话题就不会觉得束手无策了。
