Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-07

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)

Nowadays, there has been an argument that technology will replace our regular theatres and cinemas. Others believe that online can not take over it because both play a crucial role economically and culturally. However, this essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On the one hand, theatres and cinemas may be less important because people can watch movies online. There are many platforms where people can watch films, shows and other programs in the comfort of their homes. This is more convenient and can also be cheaper than going to the cinema. For example, people can watch movies on Netflix, and YouTube without leaving their homes. Therefore, cinemas and theatres are becoming boring and unnecessary.

On the other hand, theatres and cinemas are still very important for two reasons. Firstly, they create jobs for many people, such as actors, cleaners, managers, and other workers. They also contribute to the economy through tickets sales and other local businesses around them. Secondly, they act as a form of entertainment for friends. watching movies with friends or family members can be more enjoyable than watching it alone. In addition, theatre help to preserve our cultural activities, such as drama and cultural performances.

In my opinion, though online entertainment is easily accessible and also cost effective, and more popular,

however, cinema and theatre are important. They provide economic benefits and give people a social and cultural experience that may not be achieved online.

In conclusion, the internet has made entertainment easier and more convenient, but theatre and the cinema contribute to the economy and create jobs for people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic impact and the social experience of cinemas. However, the development is somewhat limited; for instance, the point about theatres preserving cultural activities is mentioned but not fully explored with a specific example. To reach a higher band, the arguments could be extended with more depth or specific illustrations. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points while reiterating the writer's stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as the convenience of online platforms or the economic benefits of physical venues. Cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between the final opinion and the conclusion is slightly repetitive, and some sentences could be linked more fluidly to improve the overall flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There is some use of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'economically', 'culturally', 'accessible', and 'cost-effective'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing like 'boring and unnecessary' or 'create jobs for many people'. To improve, the writer should incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range and more precise control over word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'online can not take over it' (should be 'online platforms cannot replace them') and 'theatre help' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally correct, though the sentence in the opinion paragraph starting with 'In my opinion' is slightly clunky due to the redundant use of 'however'. The majority of sentences are error-free, but more variety in complex structures would be beneficial for a higher score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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