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 streaming sites like these make theatres less important.

Conversely, cinema halls and theatres benefit 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 boost 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 contribute to 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 argument regarding the economic and cultural benefits of physical venues. The example of China's opera houses effectively supports the argument. However, the discussion of the opposing view could be slightly more nuanced; while the mention of Netflix and Amazon Prime is relevant, the analysis of why some people prefer the digital experience could be expanded further to reach a higher band. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Conversely', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to link ideas and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While the flow is logical, there is room for more sophisticated use of cohesive devices to improve the overall cohesion, as some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Nevertheless, the structure is sound and supports the development of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'pivotal role', 'unrestricted access', and 'revenue streams' show an ability to use less common lexical items appropriately. There are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'watch many movies or series altogether' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'tiny amount' (which is informal). However, the vocabulary is adequate for the task, and the meaning is always clear. To improve, the student should focus on more precise collocations and a slightly more academic tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the majority of sentences are error-free. Complex structures are attempted, such as 'the existence of streaming sites like these make theatres less important' (note: subject-verb agreement error: 'makes'). Punctuation is generally accurate, though there are occasional slips. The errors present do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more consistent accuracy in complex sentence construction and ensure subject-verb agreement is maintained in longer, more intricate sentences.

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

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