Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Nowadays, it is widely debated whether theatres and cinemas are still important in the digital age. Some people believe that people can watch all the entertainment they want online, while others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. This essay will discuss both sides of the argument before giving a reasonable conclusion.
Firstly, there are several reasons why online entertainment is beneficial. For instance, many people cannot afford the ticket prices of theatres and cinemas. Those who cannot afford the ticket prices can enjoy online entertainment instead. It is really beneficial for them. They can watch films on a big TV screen or laptop. Although technology has a big important role in our daily lives, we can enjoy from the different social media sites. People can also know update news about films from the digital entertainment. Moreover, using online entertainment can be cheaper than buying cinema tickets regularly. People from different income groups can afford this cost. As a result, many people can enjoy from the digital entertainment.
On the other hand, some people think that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. I agree with this statement because if we ignore theatres and cinemas, it has a negative impact on our countries economic and culture. As a result, tourists and young people really don't know about our culture. Another thing if we have no interesting culture, then less attractive to tourists in our country. For this reason, this can have a negative effect on a country's economy.
In conclusion, although online entertainment is convenient and affordable for many people, I believe that theatres and cinemas are still important because they provide economic and cultural benefits. Therefore, both forms of entertainment have their own advantages, but traditional theatres and cinemas should not be considered unimportant.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While the argument for online entertainment is clear, the points regarding the economic and cultural importance of theatres are repetitive and lack specific examples or depth. For instance, the claim that ignoring theatres has a negative impact on the economy is stated but not fully explained or supported with concrete evidence. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your arguments with more detailed reasoning or illustrative examples, such as the role of theatres in local community identity or the specific economic ripple effects of cinema tourism.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two sides of the argument. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, the flow within paragraphs is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. For example, the phrase 'As a result' is used twice in close proximity, which makes the progression feel slightly formulaic. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. You rely on basic terms like 'important', 'beneficial', and 'good', which limits the precision of your arguments. There are also some minor collocation errors, such as 'enjoy from the different social media sites' and 'know update news', which are not natural English expressions. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and collocations. For example, instead of saying 'big important role', use 'significant role'. Expanding your range to include more topic-specific vocabulary related to economics and culture would also help elevate your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'if we have no interesting culture, then less attractive to tourists in our country' (missing subject/verb) and 'our countries economic and culture' (incorrect possessive and noun form). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and sentence fragments. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of possessives. Proofreading for basic errors in sentence construction will help ensure that your more complex ideas are communicated accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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