Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-12

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 6.5)

Some people believe that theatres and cinema are no longer important in digital age while others believe that they still hold cultural and economic importance. Eventhough it is convenient to watch tv shows and movies through online streaming, I believe that theatres and cinemas are an integral part of economy and culture, as the source of income for many people and as the source of spreading cultural awareness among youth.

The recent advancements in technology has also shifted the way people approach entertainment. Today, they can watch their favourite tv shows and movies through online streaming apps like netflix, which is accessible in any part of the world through paid subscription and a single click. It is convenient for the people to watch some movies through the comfort of their home after a busy or hectic routine and it saves them from worrying about commute to the cinema and expense of its tickets.

On the other hand, I believe that the immersive experience of watching a movie in cinema cannot be replaced by online streaming. I watched The Interstellar movie in cinema and its vivid imagery and sound effects cannot be compared with my at-home experience. Furthermore, theatres and cinema are the source of livelihood for many people including artists, actors and other theatre staff and they contribute to the economy. If these places are shutdown, they can become a burden on the economy. Similarly, theatres are a place to showcast and promote our culture through organizing cultural plays for the youth.

Overall, the digital age has made it convenient to watch movies through the comfort of our homes but cinema and theatres still contribute to the economy as a source of income for many actors and they keep our tradition alive by promoting cultural plays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear opinion: online streaming is convenient, but cinemas and theatres remain important economically and culturally. The example of watching *Interstellar* supports your point about the distinctive cinema experience, and you identify employment and cultural promotion as further reasons. This meets the task well, but the two sides are not developed equally: the benefits of online viewing are explained mainly through convenience and cost, while the economic and cultural claims are asserted more than demonstrated. The statement that closures could “become a burden on the economy” is also unclear. To strengthen the response, explain the economic effects more precisely and give a concrete example of how theatre productions preserve or share culture.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall progression: the introduction presents the debate and your position, the second paragraph explains the case for online entertainment, and the third develops your reasons for retaining cinemas and theatres. The conclusion returns to your main view, so the organisation is easy to follow. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand,” “Furthermore,” and “Similarly” help signal relationships between ideas. To make the progression more flexible, connect some claims more explicitly rather than relying on a sequence of additions. For example, explain how the employment point supports the broader claim about economic importance. The final paragraph also repeats several phrases and ideas from the introduction; a more concise synthesis would create a stronger sense of development.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “online streaming,” “immersive experience,” “sound effects,” “source of livelihood,” and “cultural awareness.” These choices make your main points clear, and some phrases show an attempt to be precise. However, several word-choice, collocation, and spelling issues limit the naturalness of the expression: “showcast” is not the intended verb, “shutdown” is unsuitable in “places are shutdown,” and “Eventhough” should be written as two words. Repetition of “source” and “convenient” also narrows the range. Aim to use more precise alternatives and check spelling and collocations; for instance, describe venues as supporting employment or providing a livelihood rather than repeatedly calling them a “source.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concessive opening with “Even though” and a relative clause in “which is accessible in any part of the world.” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and the errors do not generally obstruct understanding. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain, however. In “The recent advancements in technology has,” the plural subject requires “have”; “in digital age” needs an article; and “theatres and cinema are” has inconsistent number. The sentence beginning “If these places are shutdown” also has an incorrect passive construction; use “are shut down.” Review agreement, articles, and passive forms, while continuing to vary sentence structures. More consistently accurate complex sentences would improve control.

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