More and more measures to improve the security in large urban areas have been
introduced in many countries because of the increased crime.
Do the benefits of these measures outweigh the drawbacks?
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
You should write at least 250 words.
IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay Sample
Sample Answer 1:
Crime and the fear of crime are very big concerns in big cities and so many security
measures have been introduced to tackle crime. In this essay I intend to delve into the
advantages and disadvantages of these methods. The advantages definitely outweigh the
One such measure is the security cameras which have become ubiquitous in many
countries. Earlier they appeared only in banks and at high-security areas but now they are
seen in public places such as malls, streets, stadiums and transport. Surveillance cameras
have several benefits. An obvious benefit is that the police can catch criminals in the act,
thus reducing crime. This has made the streets safer for ordinary people. A more important
point is that criminals, particularly young offenders or petty criminals are deterred. They will
not be tempted to carry out crimes, and thus society will be a lot safer. Cameras are also
cost-effective and unobtrusive. Authorities do not need to spend large amounts of money
Another security measure is the computerized data collection of individuals. This also helps
the police force to operate more effectively. The data can be updated regularly and data
retrieval is very easy and quick. These methods are also cost effective. Other Methods like
police patrolling on the roads has also been intensified. These methods bring a sense of
security in the minds of people.
However, some people object to these measures. The biggest objection concerns privacy.
Many people feel that they should be free to travel or move around a shop, mall, street or
country without being photographed or recorded. They feel that being watched constantly
is like being in a jail, and that ordinary people are losing their freedom because of these
devices. Even the computerized data collection of individuals can go in wrong hands.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, there are definite advantages to using such
measures, but we need to balance the need for security with respect for the individual’s
privacy and freedom. If this is done then definitely the advantages outweigh the
Currently, crime is becoming an increasing problem in people’s daily lives. There is a phenomenon that a rising number of measures, like policemen with guns and the CCTV, are utilized to improve the security in urban areas. Some people hold a view that it is essential to keep social stability, while others argue against this idea. This essay will discuss the issue from both perspectives.
It is true that these ways bring numerous benefits. To begin with, more illegal individuals will be arrested because of there being more policemen. Thus, we can have a safer living environment, which makes us comfortable. In addition, it is an effective method, as it gives a warning to the people who intend to commit a crime. These potential criminals will give up their thoughts when they meet with so many facilities of security. As a result, the crime rate will reduce.
Conversely, there are a good many drawbacks of the measures. First of all, it might cause some tension in the population. The CCTV, for instance, supervises not only illegal activities, but also individuals’ privacy. Some boys and girls cannot even do anything intimate, in particular kiss, because of it. Moreover, when policemen are fighting with robbers, then can seldom guarantee that there are no citizens being injured accidentally. It is a threat to residents’ lives. Last but not least, enhancing the security needs a great deal of capital. It means we may be not able to invest sufficient money into other crucial fields, especially education.
In summary, although taking more measures to enhance the security in cities will bring people some advantages, it seems that its downside exceed the benefits. As far as I am concerned, it is not a good idea to spend too much on security, because there many other areas, which are more worth investing in.
Nowadays, with the gunshot incident becoming more and more common, the security in urban area has aroused public concern nationwide. Consequently, more and more measures have been taken to solve this problem. I my opinion, however, the drawbacks far outweigh its benefits.
People who advocate the existing measures argue that it is the top priority for people to be alive, suffering from the Sep.11 attacks. They even feel much safer than before with the current security-guarantee equipment or personnel around them, despite of numerous inconvenience.
Personally, although great significance should be attached to secure personal safety, the measure should not be taken to such an extent that they have an adverse impact on our life. For example, when we are walking in the street, it is not rare for us to see the concrete barriers lying along the road in order to prevent a car bomb, especially near some government places, which sometimes even block the road for passerby.
Besides, I reckon that it is these measures that generate an atmosphere of danger rather than the real situation itself. Urban life used to be a kind of easy and relax, while today the feeling changed, owing to the enforcement of personnel or electronic surveillance, which also results in an invasion of privacy.
In conclusion, as far as I am concerned, the security should not be improved by such kinds of measures at the cost of inconvenience of public. We would better tackle this problem in a more rational way, taking both pros and cons into consideration.
There is a saying that a harmonious society usually comes with appropriate regulatory rules. This is probably the main reason that majority of cities, with the increasing inflows of people, have been imposing strict security measures. However, some argue that this is not the best way in lessening the criminal rate. From my way of thinking, the bright side it brings, needless to say outweigh its drawbacks.
To begin with, it is true that implementing more regulatory laws will cause not only more expenses, but also probably infringe personal privacy. Therefore some argue that instead spending more money on hiring more policemen and installing extra monitor devices such as CCTV, the authority should focus on some essential areas like education and healthcare.
However, There is no denying that fact that these strict measures, at least to some extent, play a key role in maintaining the order of the urban areas. For instance, by installing monitoring cameras around the street corners, offenders will have a second thought before committing an offence. And at the same time, it will also signal a warning message to people. Finally, it is also help to develop and increase the safety consciousness of people.
Next, the image of the urban town can also benefit because the improving security measures are one of the chief factors in cutting down the criminal rate in these urban districts. For example, a new regulation to curb selling and consuming alcohol after 7:00pm in public places has been taken effect just couple of weeks ago in Singapore. This greatly exemplified that some restrictions can lower down criminal occurrences and create a better picture of the city.
To sum up, although there are some sacrifices in order to improve the security in the urban area, I still believe that its boon which bring to us far outweigh its bane.
Nowadays, it is proved the fact that into increasing population the degree of insecurity increase. This can be easily seen in large urban areas, and for this reason many countries have implemented security measures designed to decrease crime rate. In my opinion, I do consider these measures outweigh the drawbacks (if there is any).
First of all, if a society is to function well, then the individuals have to feel secure. No person can feel comfortable and performed as well as possible surrounded by crimes acts. This is a sufficient reason to develop security system as much as needed to protect citizens.
On the other hand, if we take into consideration money spent on trials, it is quite possible to realize that how true is the old said “it is better prevent” a crime than punish it. Besides this, there are many damages that can not be repaired. I refer to people impairments, destructions of site seeing and even economical damages.
However, I think to the security feeling as to a mental status that can not be quantified. From my point of view, it provides a good background environment for personal and social development. In this light, I do not see any drawback of the security measures whatever it costs.
To sum up, I am of the opinion that security measures, taken for decreasing crime, are invaluable. Their benefits outweigh the drawbacks any they are.
Model Answer 6:
As an increasing rate of crimes, a growing number of actions have been carried out for the urban areas’ security. Some people think those measures affect us positively, while some others say those measure have more bad influences on us. In this essay, I will discuss about that.
It is clear that taking measures to protect security in urban areas makes contribution to the society and ourselves. Basically, it can protect our life. For instance, traffic monitoring tools have been installed in many cities which prevent some traffic accidents successfully. As a result, less people get injured even dead for traffic accidents. On the other hand, actions to improve urban security could attribute to the decrease of criminals. One report from a government said that, the numbers of thieves reduced nearly 12% for advanced systems against thieves the city had set.
However, those measures also have passive effects on residents. First, high-tech tools may impact on the convenience of our life passively. A survey showed that about 30% off people who lives in cities think that there are a great numbers of systems in cities which make their life inconveniently. Second, some systems would damage our environment. For example, voices from alarm systems add noise, particularly at night, those noise would destroy our sleep while there is no theft, just a animal or something touch it carelessly.
Submit your Essay here in the comment section, we will add your essay in our post.
(Collected; Source: Internet)