Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19
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)
Use of technology has increased nowadays. Some people believe that in the digital age, people can watch all the entertainment online so theaters and cinemas are no longer important while other think that theaters and cinemas are still important. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own views.
On the one hand, most people use online platforms for watching movies and series. This is because it provides both convenience and comfort when watching movies and series. By watching on streaming platforms, people can reply, pause and skip any time. Nowadays the cost of movie tickets has increased so everyone can not afford it. People who not effort theaters tickets. Online platforms is one of the best ways for them watching movies. For instance, students has preferred online platforms for watching movies instead of visiting theaters and cinemas. Additionally, In China, working women like to watch movies on online platforms such as Hotstar and Netflix because of their busy schedules. As a result, it can help save money and time.
On the other hand, theaters and cinemas are still important because it provides efficient sound and big screen experience. It creates employment for actors, ticket sellers and other workers. It not only creates employment, but it also attract visitors. The more visitors visiting theatres, the better the economy becomes. If people visit theaters and cinemas, they will improve their communication skills. To exemplify, people can reduce their stress by visiting cinemas.
In conclusion, I completely agree with the first statement because people can watch all the entertainment through online streaming platforms. It is free of cost so everyone can use it. In future, the trend of watching movies and series on online platforms will increase.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding the economic importance of cinemas is mentioned but not fully explored with specific, logical links. The claim that visiting cinemas improves communication skills is not clearly explained or supported by evidence. While the prompt is addressed, the ideas lack the depth required for a higher band score. The conclusion is clear, but the supporting arguments in the body paragraphs remain somewhat repetitive and under-developed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Additionally', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. For example, the jump from employment to communication skills in the third paragraph lacks a smooth logical transition. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall progression of ideas could be more sophisticated to achieve a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There is a reliance on basic terms like 'important', 'watching', and 'movies'. Some word choices are inaccurate, such as 'people who not effort theaters tickets' (likely meaning 'cannot afford'). There are also minor collocation issues, such as 'provide efficient sound' instead of 'high-quality sound'. To improve, the student should aim for a wider range of topic-specific vocabulary related to media and economics.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'students has preferred' (subject-verb agreement), 'people who not effort' (missing verb/incorrect word), and 'Online platforms is one of the best ways' (subject-verb agreement). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. The student needs to focus on subject-verb agreement and correct verb forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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