Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12
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)
In today's world, netizens say that in this digital world, theatres and cinemas are not needed or doesn't play a crucial role, as there are different sources of entertainment while other believe that theatres and cinemas are irreplaceable.
The reason behind moving towards other sources of entertainment at home could be because its cost-effective and a comfort zone, as well as it is easy to change or close if you wish to see later on. For example, on Netflix if we see any movie, web series etc and did not like it we have an option to switch to something else or to stop that. On the other hand tickets for the theaters or cinemas are expensive and doesn't have any option if did not like it.
Moreover, the theaters and cinemas provide with a pleasant experience and a lot to learn from about historical plays these are irreplaceable and gaining that experience is also important. As well as those theatres have high technological equipments, sound systems, 3X, 4X which gives a wonderful experience, which is not possible at home.
In conclusion, the en sources of entertainment at home are saves money and time whereas in theatres the ambience and the movement to see a movie, play on a big screen is also an irreplaceable experience for this generation, to learn about historic events through plays and dramas held in theatres.
Additionally, it makes possible to go out of the comfort zone as well as outing is possible, otherwise, nowadays kids do not prefer going out always busy with there devices like mobile phone, Ipad, laptop, computer, play station, xBOX.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a personal opinion, although the opinion is somewhat buried in the conclusion rather than being clearly stated in the introduction. The ideas are relevant but lack depth; for instance, the economic and cultural importance mentioned in the prompt is only touched upon briefly. The development of ideas is somewhat superficial, particularly regarding the 'economic' aspect, which is not explicitly discussed. To reach a higher band, you should ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that your personal stance is established early and maintained throughout the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is occasionally disrupted by awkward transitions. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Moreover', 'On the other hand'), they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. The conclusion is particularly problematic as it introduces new information (the benefits of going out for children) that should have been part of the body paragraphs. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a strong, cohesive progression of ideas. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed point would improve the score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'entertainment' and 'experience'. You use some informal phrasing such as 'netizens' and 'comfort zone', which is not ideal for an academic essay. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'en sources' and 'technological equipments' (equipment is an uncountable noun). To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and enhance the sophistication of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('theatres and cinemas... doesn't play', 'tickets... doesn't have') and punctuation errors. The use of '3X, 4X' is unclear and informal. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. You should focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately without losing grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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