Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17
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)
Some peole believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people because it can be watched them online, while others argue that, theatres and cinemas are still important for our culture. In my opinion, while both perspectives have merit, I believe that watching movies in cinemas is a part of our culture, and we should keep this tradition alive. This essay will discuss both views and explain why i support this idea.
On the one hand, some people think that theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment on the internet. This is because, nowadays going to the cinema hall to watch movies is becoming old fashioned. For instance, people can watch movies on many websites online, and they can also watch entertaining videos on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Thus, it is understandable why some people hold this view.
On the other hand, many others believe that theatres and cinemas are still important for people. This perspective is supported by the fact that going to a cinema or theatres with family members and friends can be beneficial both economically and culturally. For example, families can go to the cinema at weekends and watch a movie together. It gives them an opportunity to spend quality time with each other. Hence, this view also has valid points.
In conclusion, both views offer valid arguments, regarding watching movies or entertainment in theatres or cinema hall. However, I believe that watching movies in theatres is an important part of our culture.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. While you mention that cinemas are 'economically and culturally' important, you do not provide specific examples or evidence to support the economic aspect, and the cultural argument is limited to 'spending quality time with family.' To reach a higher band, you need to extend your arguments with more depth—for example, discussing the unique immersive experience of a large screen or the role of cinemas in supporting local film industries and urban regeneration.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as in the opening sentence where the pronoun usage is confusing ('as people because it can be watched them online'). Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between ideas would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'entertainment,' 'tradition,' and 'platforms.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'watching movies in cinemas is a part of our culture' (which is a bit repetitive) and 'cinema hall' (which is slightly unnatural in this context). To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and less common vocabulary related to the topic of media and social habits.
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 several grammatical errors, such as 'Some peole believe' (spelling), 'as people because it can be watched them online' (clunky syntax and incorrect pronoun reference), and 'i support' (capitalization). There are also minor punctuation issues, such as the unnecessary comma after 'argue that,'. To achieve a higher band, focus on reducing these frequent minor errors and increasing the variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more varied subordinate clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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