Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-24

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 6.5)

Some people believe that the rapid growth of internet services with stable internet connections and streaming platforms has led younger individuals to prefer watching movies in the comfort of their own homes, such as their bedrooms or living rooms. In contrast, others consider that theatres and cinemas are still beneficial for both economic growth and cultural development. Both perspectives are valid, but I support the latter view because cinemas contribute significantly to economic growth. The reasons for my opinion are discussed in the following paragraphs.

To begin with, some people argue that theatres and cinema are becoming less important because online streaming platforms provide greater convenience and flexibility with a stale internet connection. People prefer to watch a wide range of movies at home with simply one click without travelling to the theatre. In addition, nowadays home theatre equipment are becoming more popular as they provide surround-sound with realistic and immersive experience in their own home. They can also choose their preferred time and avoid additional expenses such as transportation and expensive cinema tickets. For Example, platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime and JioHotstar provide thousands of movies and Tv-Shows that people can watch any time and anywhere without travelling to the theatre.

However, some people argue that theatres and cinemas are still important because they provide significant economic and cultural benefits. Firstly, cinemas create employment opportunities for many people, including actors, directors, technicians, staff members and food shops, which contributes significantly to economic growth to the country. Secondly, watching a movie in the theatre provides a quieter environment for people to enjoy more with friends. Furthermore, cinemas play a vital role in promoting local culture by showing historical stories. For Example Dhurandhar attracted millions of audience to cinemas providing people with a shared entertainment experience.

In my opinion, I support the latter view because theatres and cinemas contribute to economic development and provide a unique social experience with families and friends. Although online streaming is more convenient, cinemas allow people to enjoy movies together with friends and family.

In conclusion, although online streaming is convenient and affordable, I support the latter view because theatres and cinemas remain important for economic growth and cultural development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are generally well-developed, particularly the economic benefits of cinemas. However, some points, such as the cultural argument, could be further extended with more specific detail beyond the mention of 'historical stories'. The structure is logical, and the essay maintains a formal tone appropriate for an academic task. To reach a higher band, ensure that the supporting examples are fully integrated into the argument rather than just listed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is clear, and the progression of ideas from the convenience of streaming to the economic impact of cinemas is logical and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some flexibility. You have used topic-specific terms like 'streaming platforms', 'economic growth', and 'cultural development' appropriately. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'stale internet connection' (likely meant 'stable') and 'millions of audience' (should be 'millions of audience members' or 'a million-strong audience'). While the range is adequate, incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items would enhance the quality of the writing and demonstrate a higher level of control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, though some errors persist. For instance, 'home theatre equipment are becoming' should be 'is becoming' (subject-verb agreement). Additionally, 'economic growth to the country' should be 'in the country'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and these errors do not impede communication. To improve, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles and prepositions in more complex sentence constructions.

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