Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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)

Many argue that with technological advances, cinemas and theaters have lost their value because people can find any form of entertainment online, while others say that these forms of media are still essential for both the economy and culture. Although everything can be one search away, I believe that online activities cannot really replace the excitement and experience theatres give.

Some may say that it is better to watch movies and performances online because it saves a lot of money, while still giving the opportunity to learn about a community's culture. Through online videos, people can still learn about others customs, traditions, and daily lifestyle. For instance, watching religious films like "Chaar Sahib Zaade" can tell a lot about the beliefs of Sikhism. Through this, people can come together and get to know more about each other while still staying at home.

However, some people like going to entertainment venues not only to watch shows but also because they like the experience and they want to go out. Watching movies in different places can increase social interactions and help deal with emotions. It can also serve as a great opportunity for people with the same interest to get together and enjoy something they all like. For instance, going to a musical theater alone to end the night with new friends who also like the same kinds of performances. Personally, I agree with this school of thought because going out to watch movies can be fun whenever one needs to take a break from their environment.

In conclusion, others believe that traditional media is no longer important because watching it online is cost-effective and still educational. Despite that, I believe that it is still necessary because it gives a different sense of fun and adrenaline rush.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both perspectives and state a consistent opinion: online entertainment is convenient and educational, but it cannot fully replace the experience of attending a venue. The examples of the Sikh film and going to a musical theatre help make the discussion relevant. However, the economic importance named in the prompt is not really addressed; the response focuses mainly on personal cost and social enjoyment rather than employment, revenue, or support for related businesses. Some points also need fuller explanation: for example, the claim that watching movies helps people “deal with emotions” is not developed, and the final paragraph largely repeats your position. Develop the economic side and explain how each example supports your argument more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. The progression from online access to the value of attending venues is easy to follow, and signposts such as “However,” “For instance,” and “In conclusion” help guide the reader. This is a strong organisational foundation. To make the flow more flexible and precise, avoid relying so heavily on repeated “Through this” and “For instance” patterns, and make links between claims clearer. For example, the sentence about social interaction could be connected more directly to the idea that venues have cultural value. The conclusion also repeats earlier points rather than drawing the two sides together.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “technological advances,” “community’s culture,” “social interactions,” and “traditional media.” These choices communicate the main ideas clearly, and some topic-specific language adds useful precision. There are, however, several imprecise or unnatural expressions that limit flexibility: “these forms of media” is not quite accurate for theatres and cinemas, “others customs” has an incorrect form, and “a different sense of fun and adrenaline rush” is awkward. “Musical theater” is also less natural in the context of attending a performance than “musical theatre production.” Aim for more precise collocations and avoid broad phrases such as “any form of entertainment” when the claim is not literal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a concessive opening (“Although everything can be one search away”) and a relative clause (“people with the same interest”). Most sentences remain understandable, and errors do not prevent the reader from following your argument. Some grammatical slips are present, such as “others customs,” where the possessive form should be “other people’s customs,” and the fragment-like example “For instance, going to a musical theater alone…” is not a complete sentence. The final phrase “whenever one needs to take a break” also shifts into a general construction that is slightly awkward after “I agree.” Practise checking sentence completeness and possessive forms, while continuing to use varied sentence patterns.

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.