Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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)

A large number of population believes that in this technology driven era, movie theatres are gaining less popularity as the audience can now access the same on online platforms. While, to some people it appears as a great way to enjoy watching movies in theatres. In my opinion, spending a hefty amount on purchasing show tickets and especially taking out time to commute to the cinema is waste of both time and money. Therefore, we should take the benefit of platforms providing free online watch option straight from our houses, and enjoy it with our friends and family.

One view is that, there are few audience who prefer first day first show, or simply watching movies in cinemas as it is more amusing to them and also because they find it less convenient to watch movies at home. For instance, individuals aged between 25 to 35 years book movie tickets to watch in the theatres as they believe that the only way to spend quality time and have fun with their family and friends, is by doing this.

The other view is that, the rest of the population who are aware of these online platforms and are familiar with its working, find watching at home the most suitable option. The reason behind this is that it is advantageous in many ways such as saving on transport expenses, movie tickets, changing clothes, and buying expensive snacks to munch on while watching.

In conclusion, the benefits of advancement of technology and availability of movies and shows on online platforms has allowed households to cut down on unnecessary spending. Although, there are people who still choose theatres over free online watch. In my opinion, the individuals who understand the working of online platforms make the best possible use of it and enjoy their favourite movie along with their friends and family by saving money and time.

AI examiner evaluation

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 economic and cultural importance in the prompt, you focus primarily on personal convenience and cost-saving, failing to explore the broader societal or economic implications of theatres closing. The arguments are repetitive, focusing heavily on the 'cost' aspect rather than the 'cultural' aspect mentioned in the prompt. To improve, ensure you address all parts of the prompt with equal depth, providing more substantial reasoning for why theatres might still hold value beyond just personal preference.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'One view is that', 'The other view is that', and 'In conclusion' to signal the structure. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is limited. Some transitions feel repetitive. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the relationship between sentences is more fluid rather than relying on simple signposting phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'technology driven era' and 'online platforms'. However, the range is somewhat limited and occasionally repetitive (e.g., 'watching movies' is used frequently). There are also some minor collocation issues, such as 'free online watch option', which sounds unnatural. To improve, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to the topic of media consumption and cultural economics to demonstrate a more flexible range.

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 'A large number of population believes' (should be 'A large proportion of the population believes') and 'the benefits of advancement of technology... has allowed' (should be 'have allowed'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are some awkward phrasings that slightly impede the flow. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and reducing these minor errors while attempting more varied complex sentence structures.

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