Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-30

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 7.5)

Technology has evolved rapidly over the years and it greatly impacted the entertainment industry also. Once cinema and television were the peak of media, but now there's a massive surge in online streaming services which grew the entertainment industry to immaculate heights. However, the visible increase of streaming sites doesn't guarantee that cinemas have become a thing of past.

I acknowledge the fact that some people think cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online. They're not entirely wrong. You can watch amazing web series and movies in famous streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, etc. All these platforms are highly accessible to all the public with nominal subscription charges. Another factor that contributes to the success of streaming services is the variety and release timings of the content. You can find entertaining dramas, series, and films in almost all popular genres with amazing direction and script. Also, you don't have to wait for months and years to watch new content. The release timing of content is quick as compared to cinemas.

In contrast, other people argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. This is undoubtedly true. Cinemas contribute to the economy by generating millions in box-office revenue along with thousands of employment opportunities. It is a beloved entertaining spot for the public. People love the experience of going to the cinema and enjoy the movies in a chill and relaxed ambiance while enjoying popcorns. Cinemas also contribute to the culture of sociey. It ties multiple local communities together and brings out hidden and taboo topics into open public debates.

However, in my opinion, online services are definitely giving cinema a tough competition. You can watch amazing content online in the comfort of your home. Many amazing series like When Life give you Tangerine, Squid Game, Breaking Bad, Lupin, etc are far better than some films aired on movie theatres after years of waiting. Yes, cinemas contribute to the culture economy but it doesn't end the fact that streaming services are any weaker. They are also creating multiple job opportunities while cashing big money from the public.

In conclusion, both views aren't entirely wrong but with the massive change in technology, there's an obvious shift in the entertainment industry. The race of great content is getting tougher and so does the competition between cinemas and online entertainment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, such as the economic impact of cinemas and the convenience of streaming services. However, the development of the 'cultural' aspect of cinemas is slightly brief, and the personal opinion section could have been more deeply integrated into the overall argument rather than appearing as a separate, somewhat repetitive paragraph. Overall, the position is consistent and the main points are clearly articulated throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In contrast', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to signal shifts in the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions between sentences could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and the writer's own stance.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning with some precision. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'box-office revenue', 'streaming services', and 'subscription charges'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'immaculate heights' (which is not a standard collocation) and 'sociey' (a spelling error). The range is adequate for the task, but to reach a higher band, the student should aim for more varied and sophisticated collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing like 'amazing' used multiple times.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, and errors are infrequent enough that they do not impede communication. Examples of minor errors include 'the peak of media' (should be 'the pinnacle of media') and 'aired on movie theatres' (should be 'in movie theatres'). Punctuation is generally accurate, though there are occasional slips. The student shows an ability to use complex structures, but these could be more varied to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.

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