Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 6.5)

In recent years, digital platforms have become increasingly popular for watching programs and movies. These platforms have become a major threat to traditional cinemas and theatres. Some people argue that cinemas and theatres are no longer important because people can access entertainment online, while others oppose that they are important because of economic and cultural benefits. In my opinion, cinemas and theatres should continue to operate because of their benefits towards the country, whereas digital platforms should grow alongside to entertain people in their free time.

On the one hand, digital platforms play an important role during long journeys. This is because people traveling by train or airplane spend several hours to reach their destination, the internet facilities help passengers to pass the time. For example, if a person is traveling by an airplane, he or she has to reach an airport a few hours prior to the departure time. In this situation the person has several hours of free time and can become bored. Watching movies and programs on digital platforms can help to pass the time. In addition, the internet facilities make entertainment affordable for people on a lower income. If a person cannot afford to buy cinema tickets, they can watch movies and shows on the internet.

On the other hand, the critics argue that cinemas and theatres can be beneficial for the overall economy of the country. A significant amount of revenue is generated from the traditional cinemas and theatres. If cinemas disappear, this source of revenue can be lost, which could negatively affect the economy. Furthermore, cinemas help to preserve and promote the national culture. Traditional plays, movies and documentaries can provide knowledge about the nation's history and culture to younger generations. For instance, digital platforms often promote the internationally common dances such as hip-hop and break-dance, but traditional dances such as Bhagra and Kathak can be usually promoted with the help of traditional cinemas.

In conclusion, both digital platforms and cinemas remain important. A balanced approach works best. Digital platforms can provide entertainment anywhere and anytime, while cinemas and theatres can benefit the country in terms of overall economy and preserving national culture.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For instance, the economic and cultural arguments in the third paragraph are logically supported with examples like the promotion of traditional dances. However, the development of the first viewpoint—that digital platforms are a threat—is slightly limited to the context of travel and affordability, which could have been expanded to include the broader convenience of on-demand content. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is marked by appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While the flow is smooth, some cohesive devices are used in a slightly mechanical way, and the connection between sentences could occasionally be more sophisticated to reach the higher band levels. Nevertheless, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision, such as 'traditional cinemas', 'revenue', and 'preserve and promote'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some word choices are slightly repetitive or basic, such as 'important' and 'help'. The use of specific cultural examples like 'Bhagra and Kathak' demonstrates a good range of topic-specific vocabulary. To improve, the student should focus on using more varied synonyms and collocations to avoid repetition and enhance the sophistication of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good control of grammar, using a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. There are some minor slips, such as 'oppose that they are important' (should be 'argue that they are important') and 'dances such as hip-hop and break-dance, but traditional dances... can be usually promoted' (the placement of 'usually' is slightly awkward). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The use of punctuation is generally accurate, supporting the overall clarity of the text.

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