Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In the digital age, people have access to a wide range of entertainment through the internet, which has led some to believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer necessary. Others, however, argue that these places continue to have economic and cultural importance. This essay will discuss both views, and I believe that theatres and cinemas are still valuable despite the growth of online entertainment.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people consider theatres and cinemas less important nowadays. Firstly, the internet allows people to watch films, shows and other forms of entertainment from the comfort of their homes. Streaming platforms provide a huge variety of content, and people can choose what they want to watch at any time. This is particularly convenient for those who have busy schedules or do not want to spend money travelling to a cinema. Moreover, watching entertainment online can often be cheaper than buying cinema tickets, especially for families.

On the other hand, theatres and cinemas continue to play an important role in society. From an economic perspective, they provide employment for actors, technicians, managers, cleaners and many other workers. Cinemas also generate income for local businesses such as restaurants and shops because people often spend money before or after watching film. From a cultural perspective, theatres provide a shared experience that cannot be completely replaced by watching something alone at home. For example, watching a live play or a film with a large audience can create excitement and emotional connection. In addition, theatres can preserve traditional forms of art and give local artists an opportunity to present their work.

In my opinion, online entertainment has certainly reduced the need to visit cinemas and theatres regularly, but it has not made them irrelevant. The convenience of digital entertainment is undeniable, but the social, cultural and economic benefits of these traditional venues remain significant.

In conclusion, although online entertainment is more convenient and often cheaper, theatres and cinemas continue to contribute to the economy and culture. Therefore, I believe they will remain important even as digital entertainment becomes increasingly popular.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the decline of traditional venues due to digital convenience and their ongoing economic and cultural relevance. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between the economic impact (employment, local business support) and the cultural value (shared experience, preservation of art). To reach a higher band, you could further extend your examples; for instance, mentioning a specific type of cultural event or a more nuanced economic impact would strengthen the depth of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled effectively using phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to link sentences. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow is smooth, and the reader is never confused about the direction of your reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'digital age', 'streaming platforms', 'economic perspective', and 'traditional forms of art' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning well, it remains somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic expressions, such as 'ubiquity of digital media' or 'the communal atmosphere of a theatre', which would elevate the tone of the essay further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The convenience of digital entertainment is undeniable, but the social, cultural and economic benefits of these traditional venues remain significant.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few errors. The sentences are error-free for the most part, which allows for clear communication. To reach the highest bands, ensure you vary your sentence structure even more consistently to demonstrate full flexibility.

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