Crime

group of police looking for criminals
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on September 28, 2022 and last updated on February 4, 2023

Crime is a serious issue, and it’s one that can be difficult to deal with. One way to approach it is to try to understand what causes crime and why some people are more susceptible than others. Another is to look at how we can reduce the factors that lead people into committing crimes, as well as how we can help those who have committed crimes get back on their feet and get their lives back on track.

Some people say the best way to deal with crime is through preventative measures. For example, if you’re an employer or landlord, you can screen potential employees or tenants for any history of criminal activity or involvement in gangs or other groups that promote violence.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • criminal (noun)
  • punishment (noun)
  • clamp down on (phrasal verb)
  • deal with something (phrasal verb)
  • perpetrator (noun)
  • victim (noun)
  • commit (verb)
  • measure (noun)
  • potential (adjective)
  • generally (adverb)

Conversation Questions

  • Do you think the government should do more to prevent crime?
  • Have you ever committed a crime?
  • Have you ever been the victim of a crime?
  • Would you say there is a lot of crime where you live?
  • How important is it for you to live in a low-crime area?
  • Why do you think people commit crimes?
  • What do you think the government can do to prevent crime?
  • What do you think the general public can do to help reduce crime?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.