Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-03
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)
Nowadays, new technology the OTT apps become very popular. Some people think that theatres and cinemas are no longer necessary for watching movies. because people can watch any entertainment show they want from online sources. While others think that theaters and cinemas are still important for society. I think that the requirement of both online and theaters/cinemas are there. They both play important role in society. However, I will discuss both view and express my opinion with strong reasons and examples.
This paragraph will focus on group of people have opinion on theaters and cinemas are no long requirement. In today's time with new technology and better software and internet, people can watch any movie or TV show from any device. Some people find out that online mode is more flexible than theaters and cinemas, because online mode is cheaper than one theater ticket. Also, it is more flexible than theaters because people can watch it from any location and device. As an example, Netflix is online OTT platform. This platform is much cheaper than one theater ticket and people can watch any movie.
On the other hand, some people think that theatres and cinemas are very important for society both economically and culturally. Although one theater ticket is too expensive, lot of people love to watch movie on cinemas. Cinemas provide the vibe and such experience that people would not be able to find it on mobile screen. Mostly, people love watching high-quality movies and want to get the best experience possible. Furthermore, people enjoy watching movie with their friends and family's.
In my opinion, watching movie on theater and in online platform is useful. This completely depends on individuals. Some have free time they can go and watch movie on theater, while other don't have extra time they enjoy watching movie on online platforms.
To conclude, the debate between online platform and theaters and cinemas. Yet, my view is best because the example and reasons that I provided.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding the economic importance of cinemas is mentioned but not elaborated upon with specific details or examples. The conclusion is also quite weak, as it fails to summarise the main points effectively, instead referring vaguely to the 'reasons that I provided'. To improve, ensure that each body paragraph contains a clear topic sentence followed by well-developed supporting evidence that directly links back to the prompt's requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive. Phrases like 'This paragraph will focus on' are unnecessary and detract from the academic tone. Furthermore, some transitions between sentences are abrupt, such as the shift from discussing Netflix to the next paragraph. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the logical progression between ideas could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used naturally would enhance the flow of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There is a reliance on basic terms like 'good', 'important', and 'cheap'. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'OTT platform' and 'digital age', there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'no long requirement' instead of 'no longer a necessity'. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more flexible command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader. Examples include 'new technology the OTT apps become' (missing verb/preposition), 'some people think that theatres and cinemas are no longer necessary... because people can watch' (fragmented sentence), and 'family's' (incorrect pluralisation). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and sentence boundary punctuation will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.