Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10
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)
Some people believe that in a digital age, it is not vital to watch plays in theatres or films in cinemas, as watching them online is convenient and cheaper however, others argue that both economically and culturally, they are still important as they support tourism and the local economy.
Nowadays , many people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer essential because digital technology has changed the way people consume entertainment. They can watch films online because it is more convenient and cheaper for them. They can access content on platforms such as Netflix. Also, online entertainment is cheaper than going to a cinema; people can watch whatever they want at any time without leaving their homes. For example, many families prefer subscribing to Netflix or Disney+ instead of going to the cinema every weekend because it is more affordable and offers thousands of movies and TV shows.
On the other hand, others believe that theatres and cinemas are still important because they make valuable economic and local tourism. Unlike watching a film at home, attending a live performance provides a tourism. For example, many tourists visit famous theatres such as the Royal Opera House in London, which not only promotes British culture but also brings significant income to the local economy.
In conclusion, some argue that theatres and cinemas are not important because the majority of people prefer to stay at home and watch online, while others believe that they are vital to support our economy and local tourism. I believe that watching films online is more beneficial for viewers.
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 both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While the points regarding convenience and economic impact are relevant, they lack depth and specific supporting evidence. For instance, the argument about tourism is mentioned but not fully explained in terms of how a cinema experience differs from a digital one beyond the mention of the Royal Opera House. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your reasoning with more detailed examples or logical consequences. The position is clear, but the supporting arguments could be more robustly developed to fully satisfy the requirements of the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Nowadays', 'On the other hand', and 'For example' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the economic argument and the example provided is slightly disjointed. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next would enhance the overall coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'digital age', 'consume entertainment', and 'local economy'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'important' and 'cheaper'. There are also minor issues with collocation, such as 'make valuable economic and local tourism', which is not a natural phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and synonyms to avoid repetition and enhance the sophistication of your writing.
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 some grammatical inaccuracies, such as the run-on sentence in the introduction ('...cheaper however, others argue...') and the awkward phrasing in the second body paragraph ('...provides a tourism'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor errors, such as the unnecessary space before the comma in 'Nowadays ,'. To achieve a higher band, focus on increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring greater accuracy in sentence construction and punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.