Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16
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 5.0)
In this Essay, we will discuss the impact that digital theatres and cinemas have faced, as people found that online entertainment had a greater impact on them, as well as the economic and cultural challenges due to the rise in this change.
To start with, Cinemas and theatres have played a vital role in terms of character development and generous habits in individuals by watching their favorite character in big screen; as result was also the same in them.
On the other hand, people who prefer watching them online, such as on OTT or pirated platforms, may not experience the same amount of emotion and character development compared with people watching in the theatre; this involves the environment around us. For instance, watching a movie in a public area can be disturbing and hard to understand.
In addition, private platforms are a non-negotiable disadvantage for the social economy and culture; people should avoid them for a better experience in cinemas and sound quality as well.
With this, I conclude that watching movies in theatres unlocks a new experience and becomes an advantage for society rather than watching in private.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 189 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the essay attempts to address both sides of the argument and provides an opinion, the points are underdeveloped and lack sufficient supporting evidence or examples. The discussion regarding economic and cultural importance is superficial, and the arguments are presented in a fragmented manner. To improve, you must expand on your points with detailed explanations and concrete examples to ensure the task is fully addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is weak. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'To start with', 'On the other hand', 'In addition'), they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately. The transition between the impact of digital platforms and the economic/cultural argument is abrupt. Furthermore, the referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of the argument. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'greater impact', 'generous habits', and 'non-negotiable disadvantage' are used in ways that do not accurately convey the intended meaning, suggesting a lack of precision. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To achieve a higher band score, you should focus on using more precise vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'cinematic experience', 'socio-economic implications', or 'digital accessibility', and ensure that collocations are natural and appropriate for an academic context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and attempts at complex sentences often contain errors. For example, the sentence 'Cinemas and theatres have played a vital role... as result was also the same in them' is grammatically confusing and lacks clarity. There are also issues with punctuation and sentence boundary errors, such as the run-on sentence in the second paragraph. To improve, focus on mastering complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses and subordinating conjunctions correctly, and pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and word order.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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