Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20
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 individuals believe that in the modern era, theatres and cinemas did not get much importance as people can watch their desired plays or movies on mobile phones via internet, while others argue that they are still essential for both economically and culturally point of view. I agree with the both perspectives because watching on personal gadgets reduces the time and money, while it plays a significant role in bringing the happier moments in people life.
On the one hand, due to latest technology there is no longer need of theatres and cinemas as people can watch their favourite shows and movies on their cell phones. This is because it saves the precious time of busy people and also overcome the financial burden. For example, a fresh nurse whose duty often takes more than 24 hours and monthly income is just a minimum wage which was described by government are able to save the money of travelling and easily watch the plays with her family in their free time at home. Consequently, individuals are now prefer less to visit entertainment places due to their tight finance and job.
On the other hand, it is important to visit theatres and cinemas. As a result, people can enjoy and able to spend time and create beautiful memories with family and friends. For instance, a person who studies abroad comes to his motherland after a long period of time schedules a trip with his relative and friends to watch a movie. It results in creating a strong bonding between them and adding a memorable moments in the individuals life.
In conclusion, the importance of theatres and cinemas are reduced due to modern technology which finds good for people who are facing difficulties regarding managing time and money. Considerably, these entertainment places also helps people to create beautiful memories and bonding, especially for those who are living in any other country.
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 sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. The example of the 'fresh nurse' is a bit specific and does not fully address the broader economic or cultural implications mentioned in the prompt. While the position is clear, the arguments could be more sophisticated to reach a higher band. The conclusion is a bit repetitive and does not fully synthesize the two views as effectively as it could. To improve, ensure that the arguments are balanced and fully explored with more general, analytical reasoning rather than just personal anecdotes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing and flow, such as in the sentence 'Consequently, individuals are now prefer less to visit', where the phrasing is slightly awkward. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect sentences more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There are some repetitive phrases, such as 'beautiful memories' and 'watch their favourite shows'. Some collocations are slightly unnatural, for example, 'bringing the happier moments in people life' or 'tight finance'. While the meaning is always clear, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited to common, everyday words. To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to the cultural and economic impact of the arts and entertainment industry.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'theatres and cinemas did not get much importance' (tense inconsistency), 'individuals are now prefer less' (incorrect verb form), and 'these entertainment places also helps' (subject-verb agreement). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The punctuation is generally correct, but the control over complex sentence structures needs to be more consistent to ensure accuracy throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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