[VOCAB BANK] Society, Government, Crime, and Public Policy

Quick upgrade ladders across common IELTS themes

law

Law enforcement plays an important role, but it cannot solve every social problem by itself

law enforcement

crime

Some cities have managed to reduce the crime rate over time

crime rate

poor people

Low-income households often need better access to public services

low-income households

government help

Welfare support can protect vulnerable groups during economic hardship

welfare support

rights

Governments should protect civil rights while maintaining public safety

civil rights

punishment

A prison sentence may punish offenders, but it does not always rehabilitate them

prison sentence/punishment

help criminals change

Rehabilitation is often more effective than harsh punishment for minor offences

rehabilitation

trust in government

Public trust tends to fall when policies are unclear or unfair

public trust

social problems

Long-term social issues cannot be solved through punishment alone

social issues

rules

Clear regulations are needed to protect both citizens and businesses

regulations

law enforcement

Increased funding for law enforcement helped reduce neighborhood theft

the department responsible for enforcing laws

crime rate

The city's violent crime rate dropped significantly after new youth programs began

the frequency of crimes committed

social inequality

Free public education can help bridge the gap created by social inequality

unfair distribution of resources or opportunities

public policy

Effective public policy should prioritize healthcare accessibility for all citizens

government strategies to address societal needs

rehabilitation

The center focuses on drug rehabilitation rather than strict incarceration

the process of restoring someone to normal life

punishment

Community service can be a highly productive form of punishment

a penalty inflicted for committing an offense

welfare system

A robust welfare system provides financial aid to families facing unemployment

government support programs for citizens

civil rights

Activists marched downtown to demand equal civil rights for minority groups

the legal rights of citizens to freedom and equality

public trust

Transparency in local governance is essential for maintaining public trust

community confidence in political leaders

social cohesion

Community events foster social cohesion among neighbors of diverse backgrounds

the strength of relationships and solidarity in society

enforce

The police department works tirelessly to enforce traffic safety regulations

compel observance of a law

rehabilitate

Prisons should aim to rehabilitate inmates so they can successfully rejoin society

restore an offender to a constructive social role

deter

Visible security cameras can help deter potential shoplifters

discourage someone from doing something through fear of consequences

offend

Individuals who offend repeatedly face increasingly severe legal consequences

commit an illegal act or break a law

imprison

The state decided to imprison the offender due to the severity of the crime

put or keep someone in jail

fund

The city council voted to fund several new public park projects

provide money for a specific purpose

regulate

The agency was created to regulate chemical emissions from local factories

control or maintain something by means of rules

protect

Constitutional laws are specifically designed to protect individual freedoms

keep safe from harm or injury

violate

Companies that violate labor standards face massive corporate fines

break or fail to comply with a law or agreement

address social problems

The mayor introduced new housing grants to address social problems like homelessness

deal with or tackle community-wide difficulties

illegal

Driving a vehicle without a valid license is an illegal act

contrary to or forbidden by law

preventive

Investing in youth sports is an excellent preventive measure against crime

designed to stop something undesirable from happening

punitive

The court took punitive action by ordering the company to pay damages

inflicting or intended as a punishment

effective

Community policing proved to be an effective strategy for reducing crime

successful in producing a desired or intended result

fair

Judges must remain entirely neutral to ensure a fair trial for everyone

just, equitable, and unbiased

well-targeted

The government introduced well-targeted subsidies for low-income households

accurately directed toward a specific group or goal

long-term

Investing in early education yields massive long-term benefits for society

extending over a great period of time

socially responsible

Businesses should adopt socially responsible practices to support local neighborhoods

behaving in a way that benefits society as a whole

crime prevention

The city invested heavily in neighborhood lighting for crime prevention

strategies designed to stop illegal acts before they occur

strict penalties

The new legislation introduces strict penalties for corporate tax evasion

harsh and uncompromising legal punishments

law-abiding citizens

Most law-abiding citizens naturally follow speed limits without police intervention

people who respect and obey the law

social support services

The shelter connects homeless individuals with vital social support services

community networks providing counseling, healthcare, and aid

public funds

The renovation of the city library was entirely financed by public funds

money coming from government taxes

government intervention

Economic crises often require direct government intervention to stabilize the market

state action taken to influence or fix a societal issue

root causes

To solve youth crime, policymakers must address its root causes, such as poverty

the fundamental or primary origins of a problem

policy implementation

Clear communication is crucial for successful policy implementation

the process of putting a government plan into effect

youth offending

Mentorship programs have proven highly successful in reducing local youth offending

criminal behavior committed by young people

social inequality

High property costs can exacerbate existing social inequality in major metropolitan areas

unfair gaps in wealth, status, and opportunity within a community