在雅思写作的考试中，犯罪类话题有点像“最熟悉的陌生人”，称它“熟悉”是因为除了在小作文中偶尔亮个相之外，每年大作文中都有三到四次的考察频率，并不算特别冷门；而说它“陌生”是因为在考生族群绝大多数是学生的大背景下，犯罪似乎是一个离考生们的生活稍微有那么一点儿距离的话题，至少不太为多数的中国学生所讨论。
那么为了避免在考场上出现“你不问我就不谈，你问了我就认栽”的尴尬状况，甚至很多考生表示在看到该类话题的一瞬间就有了重新报考下一场考试的念头，笔者今天就稍微整理一下雅思写作对于“犯罪类话题”的考察，通过考察要求和应对方案这两个角度来解构一下这块难啃的硬骨头。
一、考察要求在这样一个大数据时代，明确雅思写作考试对于“犯罪类话题”的考察要求的最佳方式莫过于回顾一下历年的真题，在众多的真题中找到一点官方出题的规律，让数据讲实话。
20080112: Some peoplethink the best way of reducing crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others,however, think there are other better ways to reduce crime. Discuss both views andgive your own opinion.20080918: Some peoplethink sending criminals to prison is not an effectiveway to deal with them. Education and job training are better. Towhat extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?20090917: Some peoplethink that all the lawbreakers should be sent into the jail, while others believethat they should also be made to do some work or learn some skills in the community.What is your opinion?20100130: Many peoplebelieve that today there is a general increase in anti-social behaviors and lackof respect for others. What might have caused this situation?How to improve it?20100804: In manyparts of the world childrenand teenagers are committing more crimes. What are the causes and how shouldthey be punished? 20110122: Todaythere is a great increase in anti-social behaviors and lack of respect to others.What are the causes of this? Who should take responsibilityfor dealing with it?20110820: Some peoplebelieve that if police force carries guns, this encourages higher levels of violencein that society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?20120512: Todayprison is the most common solution for crime. But somepeople think thatit would be a more effective way to provide them with better education to prevent themfrom becoming criminals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?20121103: Many peopleare afraid to leave home because of crimes. Some people believe that more action should be takento prevent crimes, but others feel little can be done. Discuss both views and giveyour opinion. 20130216: Some peoplethink all lawbreakers should be sent to prison, while others believethat there are better alternatives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.20131109: Some peoplebelieve that young peoplewho commit serious crimes should be punished in the same way as adults. To whatextent do you agree or disagree?20140607: Some peoplebelieve that if the police force carries guns, it would encourage a higher levelof violence in the society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?20140802: In manyparts of the world, childrenand teenagers are committing more crimes, what are the causes? How should theseyoung criminals to be punished.20141108: Some peoplethink most crimes are the result of circumstanceslike poverty and other social problems. Others believe that they are caused by people who arebad in nature. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 20150425: Some peoplethink that teenagersshould be given the same punishment as adult criminals. To what extent do you agreeor disagree? 20150618: In manycountries, a high proportion of criminal acts are committed by teenagers. What are the causes of this phenomenonand how to solve it. 20150903: Many peopleare afraid to leave their homes because of their fear of crime. Some believe thatmore action should be taken to prevent crime, but othersfeel that little can be done. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.题目中标红的部分为涉及到对罪犯惩处的讨论，而标橙的部分为涉及到犯罪原因和解决方式的讨论，另外标注阴影的部分为涉及到青少年犯罪的讨论，没有任何标注的为警察配枪的话题，因而得到以下这个饼图。
我们不难发现，虽然讨论的是犯罪类这样一个稍显小众的话题，但是考察的方向仍然是有限并且有规律的。
主要的四大方向有：一、罪犯的处罚方式；二、犯罪行为的原因和应对；三、青少年犯罪；四、警察配枪的问题。
并且随着时间的推移，近年来针对青少年犯罪的考察更加频繁，并且有与其他话题跨界及合并的趋势。
所以在平时的教学过程中可以从思路和词汇两个方面入手，找准题目的切入口并且储备一定量的相关词汇，帮助考生掌握常见的犯罪类话题正确的写作方式，从而做到充分准备和从容应对。
二、应对方案罪犯的处罚方式的考察一般是要求考生在“直接投入监狱”和“提供教育和培训”中做出讨论和选择，所以考生应该要做以下头脑风暴：※ 对罪犯进行监禁是有一定的必要性的，不然这个世界也不会有监狱这种东西的存在了。
尤其是对于一些严重危害社会安全或者屡教不改重复犯罪的犯人，把他们投入监狱体现了法律的公正和严明，利用监禁剥夺罪犯的人身自由来达到惩戒的目的，也是对于其他守法者的人身和财产安全的保护。
另外对于受害者的家人，也算是一种精神上的安慰。
监狱作为一种惩罚工具，不仅可以有效地控制犯罪者的行为，同时也能对潜在的犯罪分子有一定的威慑作用。
☆ 相关语料crime = criminality 犯罪the incidence of various criminalities hovers at a relatively high level 犯罪率居高不下afflict/agonize the sufferers 给受害者带来痛苦jeopardize the security of the society 危害社会的安全habitual criminals = hardened criminals 惯犯、怙恶不悛的罪犯recidivism = repetitive criminality = continuous crimes 累计犯罪criminals = offenders = law-breakers=perpetrators 犯罪分子felons = serious offenders 重刑犯reactionary gang 黑帮gangster 歹徒、恶棍terrorist 恐怖分子bully 小混混rehabilitate 改造serve the purpose of rehabilitating criminals 起到改造罪犯的作用imprison (imprisonment) 关押put into prison/jail = locked behind the bars 投入监狱be deprived of freedom 被剥夺了自由penal 刑事的civil 民事的fairness = justice = impartiality 公正性judicial system 司法制度potential criminals 潜在罪犯deter威慑，震慑deter sb from doing sth = stop sb from doing sth 阻止某人做……have a deterring effect on 对…有威慑作用has a deterrent role to play in…… 可以在……方面发挥威慑作用provide criminals with custom-tailored ways of reclamation应该提供量体裁衣（因人而异）的改造方式victim 受害者human right 人权provide the victims and their families with great spiritualconsolation给受害人及家庭以精神上的慰藉※ 对于其他偶发性的犯罪行为，要参考犯罪动机来制定惩罚方式。