Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
In this digital era, it is often argued that theatres and cinemas are no longer beneficial as people nowadays enjoy all the entertainment online because of technological advancements. While, others believe that entertainment like theaters and cinemas still hold importance economically and culturally. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that theaters are still an important mode of entertainment.
One of the greatest advantages of technological development is, the individuals can watch anything in the comfort of their home. Nowadays, movies and all others shows are available on various OTT platforms. For instant, OTT platforms like Netflix and Hotstar are designed according to the interest of individuals and youngsters separately. As a result, there is a significant decline with the percentage of people going out to theaters or cinemas to watch a film.
On the contrary, although some people enjoy entertainment online, many find visiting theaters economical. Group of people having same interest can watch same piece of entertainment together. For example, many believe that rather than taking subscriptions of many OTT platforms every month, visiting once a month to watch cinema is more economical and comforting. Henceforth, youngsters prefer bonding over with friends while enjoying their favoraite movie together.
To conclude, in this digital era, people can enjoy cinema and various shows while sitting comfortably at their home or even while travelling which may not be cost effective. On the contrary, in in my opinion, theaters are still a great source of entertainment and preferred mainly because of its cinematographic experience and for bonding with loved ones.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding the economic benefits of theaters is underdeveloped and lacks specific examples or depth. The point about 'bonding' is mentioned but not fully explored in terms of cultural significance. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed explanations and perhaps a concrete example of how cinemas contribute to the local economy or cultural preservation, rather than just stating that they are 'economical'.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the contrary', 'As a result', and 'Henceforth', though some are used slightly awkwardly or mechanically. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the transition between the economic argument and the social bonding point in the third paragraph could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, which helps the reader follow the structure of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'cinematographic experience' and 'technological advancements'. However, there are occasional errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'taking subscriptions' (should be 'subscribing to') and 'bonding over with friends'. The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but more precise and varied vocabulary would be needed for a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'While, others believe' (incorrect comma usage), 'decline with the percentage' (should be 'in'), and 'in in my opinion' (repetition). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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