Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The rapid development of digital technology has changed the way people access entertainment. While some people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer important because films and other forms of entertainment are available online, others argue that these venues still have economic and cultural significance. In my opinion, although online entertainment is more convenient, cinemas and theatres remain valuable in modern society.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why people consider traditional entertainment venues less important. The main reason is the convenience of online platforms. People can watch films, television programmes and other content from the comfort of their homes without travelling to a cinema or theatre. Moreover, streaming services usually provide a wide variety of entertainment at relatively affordable prices. This allows people to choose what they want to watch and access it whenever they have free time. Therefore, online entertainment is particularly attractive to people with busy lifestyles.
On the other hand, cinemas and theatres continue to make important economic and cultural contributions. Firstly, these venues create employment opportunities for actors, directors, technicians, cleaners and other workers. They also generate income for nearby businesses, such as restaurants, cafés and transport services. Secondly, cinemas and theatres provide a shared social experience that cannot be completely replicated at home. Watching a film on a large screen or attending a live performance can be more engaging when experienced with other people. Furthermore, theatres help preserve cultural traditions by showcasing local performances and providing opportunities for artists to develop their careers.
In conclusion, although online entertainment offers greater convenience and variety, I believe that cinemas and theatres remain important because of their economic contribution, cultural value and unique social experience.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You have clearly outlined both perspectives regarding the importance of digital entertainment versus traditional venues and provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly in the second body paragraph where you discuss economic and social benefits. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific example, such as mentioning a particular type of local theatre or a specific economic impact, to further strengthen the support for your arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words such as 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'Furthermore' is effective and natural. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure allows the reader to follow your argument without difficulty. The flow is consistent throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'rapid development', 'economic and cultural significance', and 'employment opportunities' are used accurately. You show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical items, though your current usage is error-free and fits the context well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is strong, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'While some people believe that... others argue that...', which shows good syntactic control. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is clear and accurate, with a high degree of grammatical consistency. To reach the highest band, you could experiment with a slightly wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional forms.
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