Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26
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)
Few people says, that in the modern digital era, theatres and movie centres are not significantly important because all the movies and entertainment can be accessible through internet, While others believe that theatres and movies centres are important to our economy and culture. In this essay I will elaborate both point of views and give my opinion with example.
On the one hand, today advance technology has replaced our old methods of entertainment like theatres and cinemas with internet and it is access to everyone at any time.Online platforms like Youtube and other social websites had millions of movies and dramas which can been seen through mobile phones and computers. Moreover, It can be download and whenever, people have time they can watch it. For instance, children can have cartoons when their parents are busy with their work and they can relax as their babies are front of them all the time. There for, theatres are no longer valued because it take your time and money to purchase tickets.
On the other hand, past ages, people enjoy live serial in theatres and go with families and friends to the cinema centres which allows them to spent quality time with their families. It was beneficial to create memories for the future lives. Also, it theatres helped in economy people bought tickets and actors get paid
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the essay addresses both sides of the argument, the discussion is underdeveloped. The conclusion is missing entirely, and the final paragraph is cut off abruptly, meaning the student's own opinion is not clearly stated or supported as required by the prompt. The arguments provided, such as the mention of children watching cartoons, are somewhat simplistic and lack the depth required for a higher band score. To improve, ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed with fully extended arguments and a clear, consistent position.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to structure the response. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete nature of the text. Paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is unfinished, which disrupts the logical flow. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between ideas feels mechanical rather than natural. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence followed by supporting evidence and a concluding thought.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'movie centres' instead of 'cinemas' and 'access to everyone' instead of 'accessible to everyone'. The student relies on repetitive and simple vocabulary throughout the text. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to use more academic collocations and precise terminology related to the topic, such as 'digital transformation', 'cultural significance', or 'economic viability', rather than relying on everyday, informal language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Few people says'), incorrect verb forms ('can been seen', 'It can be download'), and punctuation errors. The sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when attempting complex constructions. The lack of control over basic grammar, such as pluralization and tense consistency, is a significant weakness. The student needs to focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like subject-verb agreement and article usage before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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