Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

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 streaming sites like these make theatres less important.

Conversely, cinema halls and theatres benefits 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 boosts 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 supports the preservation of culture and stimulation of the local economy.

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 position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are generally well-developed, particularly the economic argument regarding employment and cultural preservation. However, the development of the 'online entertainment' perspective is slightly less detailed compared to the counter-argument. The essay maintains a formal tone and effectively balances the two sides of the debate. To reach a higher band, ensure that the arguments for both sides are equally balanced in depth and provide more specific, nuanced examples for the digital age perspective.

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 theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Conversely', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to signal shifts in the argument. However, some transitions between sentences within paragraphs feel slightly mechanical. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly rather than relying on standard transition markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant topic-specific terms such as 'OTT platforms', 'revenue streams', and 'cultural preservation'. There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'cinema halls and theatres benefits' (should be 'benefit') and 'tiny amount' (which is slightly informal). While the range is adequate, the essay would benefit from more sophisticated, less common lexical items to demonstrate a higher level of control. The current vocabulary is functional and clear but lacks the nuance required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement, such as 'cinema halls and theatres benefits' and 'these cinema halls also boosts'. Additionally, there are minor punctuation and phrasing issues, such as 'Netflix or Amazon Prime only needs' (should be 'need') and 'supports the preservation' (should be 'support'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring strict adherence to subject-verb agreement would improve the accuracy significantly.

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