Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08
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)
According to a few individuals, in the era of digitalization, theatres and cinemas are not crucial because an individual can watch any steaming content online, while others think physical presence in theaters and cinemas plays important role economically and traditionally. I have mixed opinions for both the statements because the values both add in an individual's life are totally different in respective situations.
On the one hand, digital tools have changed the world in a way that anyone can search for many interesting content just by one click. It has been easier to find all the audiovisual entertainment while staying at home. For instance, some of the applications in mobile phones offer newly released movies or reality shows online. The main advantage of this facility is saving time and money. A person with a large family can enjoy movies without needing to buy tickets for individual family members. Moreover, online streaming can provide multiple choices of content as per individual preferences. For instance, comedy shows, dance tutorials, fictional movies and many more. Although, the drawback of online content is that a person can become addicted to short videos and other entertainment tools, which leads to mental growth retardation.
On the other hand, the live stage performance and cinema house offer a whole different experience for an individual. People can spend time with their loved ones by planning a date to watch movies or stage shows. This approach can introduce tradition to the younger generation and contribute to the economy. The main advantage of visiting theater or cinema is that people can get familiar with the cultural values of a nation.
In conclusion, I think the online entertainment resources can offer convenience and freedom of choice, while traditional way of enjoying stage shows and cinemas provide live experience and teach to enjoy the moments with friends and family.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the benefits of online streaming are well-supported with examples like cost and time savings, the discussion on the economic and cultural importance of cinemas is less developed. The point about 'cultural values' is mentioned but not explained or illustrated with specific examples. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that both sides of the argument are explored with equal depth and provide more concrete evidence or reasoning for your claims.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with each focusing on a specific aspect of the prompt. The use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover' helps guide the reader through your arguments. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For instance, the link between the conclusion and the body paragraphs is clear, but the internal flow within the second paragraph could be improved by better connecting the idea of 'tradition' to the 'economic' impact mentioned in the prompt.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'audiovisual entertainment', 'digitalization', and 'preferences'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'mental growth retardation' is an overly clinical and slightly unnatural phrase in this context, and 'search for many interesting content' is grammatically incorrect (content is uncountable). To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring that less common vocabulary is used naturally and accurately within the context of the sentence.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'plays important role' should be 'plays an important role', and 'some of the applications in mobile phones' would be better phrased as 'some mobile applications'. Additionally, there are minor issues with articles and pluralization, such as 'theatres and cinemas are not crucial'. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication, and you show a good attempt at using complex structures throughout the response.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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