Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-08

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 5.5)

Entertainment plays a crucial part in the society today. Some individuals argue that in the modern age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch their entertainment online, while others argue that cinemas and theatres play an important role in economy and culture. Cinemas and theatres can promote economic growth and promote presevation of culture whereas online entertainmant can be flexible to anyone but can also promote health issues due to lack of physical exercise.

To begin, cinemas and theatres plays a major role in the economy. For instance, someone who has a cinema or theatre receives revenue after selling tickets for show. The tax will then paid to the goverment , hence increasing goverment revenue which can be used for other developments. Furthermore, cinemas and theatres can promote cultural preservation. For example, people come together and showcase their culture thus promoting culture preservation and awareness.

However, introduction of online entertainment can lead to overdependence of technology which can lead to health issues such as obesity. For instance, people who prefer online entertainment can promote laziness and lack of physical exercise which can cause lifestyle diseases, hence there should be need to create awareness on the importance of physical exercise. On the other hand, online entertainement can be accessed easily by the people using their phones or laptops without paying extra money for the tickets to attend the show.

To conlude, I think theatres and cinemas are important in that it can promote economic growth as well as preservation of culture while online entertainment should be minimised to reduce health related issues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and give a clear preference in the conclusion: theatres and cinemas support the economy and cultural preservation, while online entertainment is convenient but may encourage inactivity. The examples about ticket revenue, tax, and people sharing culture are relevant. However, the discussion is uneven: the benefits of theatres and cinemas receive more explanation, while the case for online entertainment is mainly reduced to easy access and avoiding ticket costs. The health argument also shifts attention from whether online entertainment makes venues less important. Develop both sides more directly—for example, explain how online platforms offer choice and access, then compare this with the shared cultural experience and employment created by venues. The response meets the task’s length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph supporting theatres and cinemas, a paragraph discussing online entertainment, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “To begin,” “However,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, some connections are mechanical or not fully logical. The health-effects point does not directly explain why online entertainment might replace cinemas, and “On the other hand” introduces another advantage of online access rather than a clear contrast. The conclusion repeats the main points without drawing the two views together. Improve progression by grouping each side’s reasons and using linking phrases that show the precise relationship between ideas; also make references such as “it” in the conclusion unambiguous.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “economic growth,” “cultural preservation,” “revenue,” and “physical exercise,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited by repeated use of “promote,” “important,” and “culture,” and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “promote laziness” and “the tax will then paid.” Spelling errors—including “presevation,” “entertainmant,” “goverment,” and “conlude”—also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise expressions and check spelling carefully. For example, describe venues as “contributing to local employment” or “providing a shared cultural experience,” and explain that online viewing “may encourage a sedentary lifestyle” rather than saying it promotes laziness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a contrast with “whereas” and a cause-and-effect sentence beginning “For instance.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Subject–verb agreement is incorrect in “cinemas and theatres plays,” and the passive construction “The tax will then paid” is missing “be.” There are also problems with articles and number, as in “in the society today,” and the conclusion’s “it can promote” does not agree clearly with the plural subject “theatres and cinemas.” Some sentences join several ideas with “which” or “hence,” making the relationships less controlled. Practise accurate agreement and passive forms, and divide longer sentences where needed; this will make your range of structures clearer and more reliable.

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