Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-09

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)

There is common debate on the importance of theatres and cinemas in the digital age that there is no longer need for it, while others says that these are important for there economy and culture. Both arguments have thier own importance and limitations but I believe that watching entertainment online is more convenient than going to specific places to watch like cinemas or theatres.

On the first hand, in the digital age, almost every individual has access to smart devices which has internet connectivity. Internet connection make it feasible to access their favorite channels and TV shows. If someone wants to watch a movie, or any other entertainment related stuff, he would just need to search online for it and get entertained. Therefore, there is no need to get prepared to go to the cinema on time and watch their intended entertainment there.

On the other hand, the argument of people is also valid that cinemas and theatres have importance economically and culturally because it allows to get socialize and connect with other people to get full experience of what they are watching. If someone watch entertainment in cinema, they pay for tickets which will be the benfit for the operators and goverment. Then they will share their thoughts with each other after watching, which will fosters the credibilty of what they have watched. In contrast they will need a proper timetable for it.

In the current digital age, it is not practical for people to spare time from the daily routine and go to theatres or cinemas to watch all the entertainment. Instead watching that online is more convenient as it only requires the smart device on which they can watch at any location or time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for online entertainment, particularly in the introduction and conclusion. The convenience argument is relevant, with examples such as avoiding travel and watching at any time or location. You also identify social interaction and ticket revenue as reasons cinemas and theatres remain important. However, the cultural aspect is not explained in much depth, and the economic point is largely limited to ticket payments benefiting operators and government. The discussion therefore covers the task, but the two sides are not developed equally and some claims remain general. To strengthen the response, explain more specifically how live performance or shared viewing contributes to culture, and support your position with a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding statement of your opinion. Transitions such as “On the first hand” and “On the other hand” help signal the contrast, and the main ideas are generally easy to follow. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with several points linked through repeated “If someone” and “Then” patterns. Some connections are also unclear: the final sentence of the third paragraph, “In contrast they will need a proper timetable for it,” does not clearly relate to the preceding point. Use more varied linking and make each sentence’s relationship to the paragraph’s main idea explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “digital age,” “internet connectivity,” “economically and culturally,” and “full experience.” There are also attempts at more specific expressions, such as “share their thoughts” and “daily routine.” However, the range is limited by repetition of “watch,” “entertainment,” and “important,” while several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “entertainment related stuff,” “get socialize,” and “the benfit for the operators.” Spelling errors such as “thier,” “goverment,” and “credibilty” are noticeable. Build a wider set of precise expressions for discussing access, audience experience, cultural value, and financial impact, and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause in the introduction and conditional structures such as “If someone wants to watch a movie…”. Most of the intended meaning can be understood, but errors in agreement, articles, and verb forms recur. For example, “others says” should be “others say,” “Internet connection make” should be “makes,” and “If someone watch” should be “If someone watches.” The opening sentence is also difficult to control because its clauses are joined awkwardly. Work on subject–verb agreement and practise building clear complex sentences with accurate clause connections. Greater control of these patterns would make the argument easier to read.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.