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)

Nowadays some people say that theatres and cinemas are no longer significant as people can watch all the entertainment they want on online platforms like Netflix and amazon prime. Instead of going out there and spend time and money on travel they should do it online saving both. Others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both culturally and economically to preserve the culture and helping the cinema industry.

In modern world people value time and money equally so they think that they should watch all entertainment in their homes on online platforms to save both time and money. Other than that, it is more convenient to watch their favorite show or movie in home maintaining the privacy rather than watching in cinema with many strangers.

Others argue that theaters and cinemas are still significant for both economy and cultural because if the people will still go to cinemas and watch movies or their preferred show it will increase the revenue of the film which adds up to the economy of the country. Other than that people spend money while travelling on petrol and food which also helps to boost the economy. Every nation has its own culture by going to theaters and cinemas their culture will be preserved for longer period of time.

In my opinion theatres and cinemas are no longer significant as they were in the past. People should watch all the entertainment they want on online platforms this will not only save their money but also save the time which is equally important. Rather than spending time in traffic which is increasing day by day they should spend that time in something more useful and which pays back.

AI examiner evaluation

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 you mention economic and cultural benefits, the arguments remain superficial. For example, the claim that going to the cinema helps the economy by spending money on petrol is a weak argument that lacks depth. To reach a higher band, you should provide more substantial reasoning, such as the social value of shared experiences or the specific technological advancements that make home viewing superior. The position is clear, but the supporting points need more elaboration to be fully persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'Other than that' are used multiple times, which makes the flow feel a bit stilted. Additionally, some transitions between sentences are abrupt. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and phrases, such as 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'in contrast,' to create a more natural and sophisticated flow between your arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'online platforms,' 'revenue,' and 'preserved.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic vocabulary. There are also minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'going out there and spend time' (should be 'spending time') and 'in home' (should be 'at home'). To achieve a higher score, aim to incorporate more precise and academic vocabulary, such as 'accessibility,' 'cultural heritage,' or 'economic stimulus,' and ensure correct preposition usage.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For instance, 'if the people will still go to cinemas... it will increase' is a conditional error (should be 'if people still go... it increases'). There are also issues with article usage and verb forms, such as 'in the modern world' (missing 'the') and 'helping the cinema industry' (should be 'helps'). To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of conditional tenses, as these errors currently prevent the essay from reaching a higher band.

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

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