Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05
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 5.0)
It is often argued that cinemas are still important both economically and culturally and this both positive and negative aspects. Some people believe that in the digital age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online, while others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. This essay discusses both perspectives before giving my opinion.
On the one hand, many people believe that nowadays people prefer to see all kinds of movies, shows and content online as, it provides several advantages. This is mainly because sometimes people buy expensive tickets and they do not get the quality they deserve for the money they pay for them, some times their screens get damaged and sometimes the movie starts late in the theater and sometimes it starts early. In daily life people often want a movie comfortably at home, so they do not have to go to a theater, which also saves their time. Therefore, it is clear why some people support this view.
On the other hand, some people argue that watching a movie in a theater is more enjoyable and gives a different kind of feeling, cinemas are important. This is due to the fact that. For instance, many people think that by watching a movie in a theater, they can spend some enjoyable time with friends, and family. However, I believe that watching a movie in a theater is good because it is more beneficial in the long term.
In conclusion, both views have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, I believe that watching a movie in a theater is better as it offers more benefits overall.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both views and provides a personal opinion, meeting the basic requirements of the prompt. However, the development of ideas is limited. The arguments regarding the digital age are repetitive, focusing primarily on ticket prices and screen quality, while the counter-argument regarding the cultural and economic importance of cinemas is underdeveloped. The essay lacks specific examples or deeper analysis of the 'economic' and 'cultural' aspects mentioned in the prompt. To improve, you should expand on your points with more detailed reasoning and concrete examples rather than listing general observations. The position is clear, but the supporting arguments lack the depth required for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to signal shifts in perspective. However, the flow within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical. For instance, the sentence 'This is due to the fact that. For instance...' contains a fragmented structure that disrupts the logical progression. Additionally, some transitions between sentences feel repetitive. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your sentences are logically connected to the main topic of the paragraph rather than just listing points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'watching a movie' and 'important'. There are some attempts at more specific vocabulary, but they are not always used naturally. For example, 'gives a different kind of feeling' is vague. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and topic-specific terminology related to the film industry or digital media, such as 'cinematic experience', 'accessibility', or 'socio-economic impact', while ensuring they are used in the correct context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. You struggle with punctuation and sentence boundaries, such as the comma splice in '...online as, it provides...' and the sentence fragment 'This is due to the fact that.' There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to lower the score. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for punctuation errors, particularly the use of commas and full stops.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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