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 which 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 sales. 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 discuss both views and provide a consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of Netflix and the cultural opera scene in China. To reach a higher band, ensure that the development of the 'economic' argument is more nuanced; while you mention ticket sales, explaining the broader economic impact (e.g., tourism, local business revenue around cinemas) would strengthen the depth of your analysis. Overall, the position is well-maintained and the task requirements are fully met.

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 like 'On the other hand', 'Conversely', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. The use of cohesive devices is generally effective, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. To improve, try to vary the cohesive devices further to ensure the flow between sentences feels more natural rather than relying on standard linking phrases at the start of every paragraph.

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, such as 'watch many movies or series altogether', which could be phrased more naturally. You attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is good, but ensure that these choices are always contextually accurate. The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the essay. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which aids readability. There are occasional minor grammatical slips, such as 'theatres and cinema halls for cultural operas always operate at full capacity, resulting in massive growth... and preserving millennia-old opera till this day', where the parallel structure could be tighter. However, these errors do not impede communication. To aim for a higher band, incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or more sophisticated passive constructions.

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

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