Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09

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)

Many argue that online platforms are more essential than movie theatres and cinemas as digital consumption does not require traveling to cinema halls or separate tickets. On the other hand, some people think cinema halls play a pivotal role in both economic and cultural sectors. I firmly agree with this view as visiting theatres or cinema halls helps the society financially and culturally by generating employment opportunities and preserving culture.

Online entertainment does not require the purchase of extra tickets or travelling. Most of the time people can buy subscriptions and watch many movies or series altogether with unrestricted access. This is one of the paramount advantages of OTT platforms. A classic example would be Netflix or Amazon Prime only needs a monthly or yearly subscription for a tiny amount but grants access to numerous shows. The existence of online platforms like these makes the theatres less important.

Conversely, cinema halls and theatres help the community and culture by increasing revenue streams for the artists. I agree with this as online platforms require less payment but sometimes many artists working for the theatre are not paid well and end up leaving their profession, which results in many cultural plays becoming non-existent. Moreover, these cinema halls also help the economy by their ticket sells. For instance, in China cinema halls and theatres for cultural operas always operate at full capacity, resulting in massive growth in the entertainment industry and preserving millennia-old opera till this day.

In conclusion, there are various justifications for why theatres and cinema halls can be deemed less vital in this digital age. However, I believe cinema halls and theatres are fundamentally crucial as they help to preserve culture and help stimulate the local economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly present both sides of the argument and provide a firm personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic impact of ticket sales and the cultural preservation of opera. However, the development of these ideas could be more nuanced. For instance, the argument regarding artists' pay is a strong point, but it could be expanded with more specific detail on how theatres provide unique experiences that digital platforms cannot replicate. Overall, the position is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use transition signals such as 'On the other hand', 'Conversely', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. While the paragraphing is appropriate, some cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical. For example, the transition between the discussion of OTT platforms and the economic argument could be smoother. Referencing is generally clear, though occasionally the connection between sentences could be tightened to improve the flow of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'pivotal role', 'unrestricted access', and 'revenue streams' are used effectively. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'ticket sells' (should be 'ticket sales') and 'tiny amount' (which is slightly informal). While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated academic collocations to elevate the tone of the essay further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'Amazon Prime only needs' (missing a subject or relative pronoun) and 'help the economy by their ticket sells'. Punctuation is generally accurate, but there are occasional minor errors in article usage and verb agreement. The complexity of your sentence structures is adequate for this level, but increasing the variety of subordinate clauses would help demonstrate better control over more complex grammatical forms.

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