Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that in the digital age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online. Others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Cinemas and theatres are a common sight in every well developed city. Many people hold the view that cinemas have a paramount importance not only in economy, but also culture while the others contradict with this idea and consider the theatres unnecessary as all the desired entertainment can be accessed online in these contemporary times. This essay will cover both points as well as the personal opinion. I believe that although they are not required in this era of technological advancemnts, the economic and cultural benefits outweigh the former view.

On one hand, theatres are considered undesirable because the technology has become part and parcel of our lives in the modern society. Many social media platforms, not only youtube but also Netflix, offer all kinds of entertainments whether its a movie relatef to any genre or a season or pre recorded performance of your beloved idols. Hence, it is not recommended to spend your hard earned money and savings on going to cinema. Moreover, time management due to busy and hectic schedules is way too difficult. To prove this point, Shawn Mendes, a bollywood singer, once explained in his interview that he watches movies online to save his precious time and the hardc earned money.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You introduce the topic and state a position: you believe the economic and cultural benefits outweigh the case for online entertainment. You also give relevant reasons for the online view, including convenience, cost and busy schedules. However, the response addresses the task only minimally: it does not explain the economic or cultural benefits that your introduction promises, and it does not develop your own position with supporting reasons. The example about Shawn Mendes is brief and does not clearly support the broader point. The response is also 45 words below the required minimum, which limits the space available to discuss both views. To improve, develop a separate argument for cinemas’ and theatres’ cultural and economic value, then explain why you find it more persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction is followed by a paragraph presenting the case for online entertainment. Signposting such as “On one hand” and “Moreover” helps show how the ideas relate. However, there is no second body paragraph or conclusion, so the discussion stops before the opposing view and your final position are developed. The introduction’s promise to cover both points is therefore not fulfilled, and the progression feels incomplete. Some links are also mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “Moreover” and “Hence” to connect claims without fully explaining their relationship. Organise the essay into an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your opinion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonably varied range of vocabulary for the topic, including “paramount importance,” “part and parcel,” “contemporary times,” and “hectic schedules.” These choices show an attempt to use less common expressions, though some are not natural or precise in context. For example, “a paramount importance” is an awkward collocation, and “all kinds of entertainments” uses an unsuitable plural form. There are also spelling errors, including “advancemnts,” “relatef,” and “hardc,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for clear, natural phrasing rather than ornate expressions, and proofread carefully. More precise terms such as “employment,” “cultural heritage,” and “live performances” would help you explain the benefits of theatres and cinemas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex opening sentence with “although” and a sentence using “not only … but also.” Most of the meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions are evident. In “the others contradict with this idea,” the verb pattern is incorrect; write “others disagree with this idea.” The phrase “whether its a movie” needs the possessive “it’s,” and “a season or pre recorded performance” would benefit from clearer article and modifier use. The long opening sentence also contains several clauses that make the argument harder to follow. Practise accurate verb patterns, articles and punctuation, and use shorter sentences when presenting several examples.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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