STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Factors That Influence the Crime Rate
Examination Task
There is a number of factors that influence the crime rate. Look at the list below and try to decide which factor is the most and the least influential.
- Poverty
- Ineffectiveness of police
- Lenient punishment
Sample Discussion
A: There are several factors that influence the crime rate. Let’s discuss their impact and decide which is the most and the least influential. Shall we start with poverty?
B: Yes, that sounds like a good starting point. In my opinion, poverty is the most important factor because people who struggle financially may turn to crime just to survive. For example, when basic needs such as food and shelter are not met, some individuals may commit theft or other offences to support themselves and their families. Wouldn’t you agree?
A: Yes, I do. Poverty can put people in very difficult situations where they feel they have no other choice. It can also lead to other problems, such as social exclusion, which may increase crime in the long term. Thus, poverty is a key root cause, as can be seen in cities like Marseille, where high rates of drug-related crime, robberies, and theft have contributed to its reputation as one of the European cities with the highest crime rates.
B: That’s a good point. What do you think about the effectiveness of the police?
A: I think it’s still very important. If the police are not effective, criminals may feel that they can get away with crime. For example, if officers react slowly or do not investigate cases properly, fewer offenders are caught, which may encourage others to break the law. Overall, the effectiveness of the police depends on the number of personnel and equipment, proper training of officers, adequate funding, and public trust, which enables effective cooperation with citizens.
B: I agree. However, even an effective police force cannot completely solve the problem if people are driven by poverty. If someone is desperate enough, the risk of being caught may not stop them.
A: That’s true. And what about lenient punishment? Some people believe that harsher punishments reduce crime.
B: Yes, that’s a common belief. However, I’m not sure it’s always true. Many crimes are committed under strong emotions, like anger or frustration, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such situations, people do not really think about the consequences in a rational way.
A: I agree. So harsher punishment may not always work as a deterrent, because people are not always thinking logically when they commit crimes.
B: Exactly. Also, crime does not happen in isolation. People are influenced by their social and economic situation, so punishment alone cannot solve the problem.
A: That makes sense. So, it seems that while punishment has some effect, it is less important than the underlying causes, such as poverty.
B: I agree. Taking everything into account, I would say that poverty is the most influential factor because it is the root cause of many crimes.
A: I share your opinion. And as for the least influential factor, I would choose lenient punishment, since it seems less effective compared to the other two.
B: I couldn’t agree more. So, to sum up, we believe that poverty is the most influential factor, while lenient punishment is the least influential.
Photo: Marseille © Ville de Marseille