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)
It is often argued by few mases that in the era of technology, theatres and cinemas are not significant as people prefer to watch online media. However others opine that theatres and cinemas are still crucial for moneymaking and society . This essay will discus both views as far as i am in favor of former notion.
To commence with, watching online media saves time. To explain it, going in theatres and cinema requires plenty of time for booking seats which creates lots of trouble while online media is in hand anyone can watch it anytime if someone is busy on work . For instance a headline of BBC ( British Broadcasting Corporation) revealed that 90% user prefer ott platform to watch movies rather than theatres . As a result, digital media is good to save time instead of going to theatres.
Shifting toward final view, why few individuals prefer going to cinemas rather than watching digital media on phones because it creates strong family relations and also support economy by purchasing tickets to watch movies. In other words, watching movies in theatres creates an atmosphere to build healthy relationship in personal life . To cite an example, A survey conducted by researchers shows the spending time with family in theatres improves mental state of a person . Hence, it is indisputable fact that, not only for happier life abut also for society traditional methods are greatest than the online media to watch movies.
In conclusion, although online media saves time of a person yet, I believe that watch movies with traditional methods in cinemas provide contribution to society and also helps to build stronger family relations.
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 essay addresses both views and provides an opinion. However, the position is inconsistent; the introduction states a preference for the 'former notion' (online media), but the conclusion supports the 'traditional methods' (theatres). This contradiction undermines the clarity of the argument. While ideas are presented, they are somewhat underdeveloped. For example, the claim that 90% of users prefer OTT platforms is a generic assertion rather than a well-supported argument. To reach a higher band, you must ensure your position is clearly established and maintained throughout the essay, and provide more nuanced explanations for your arguments rather than relying on over-generalised statements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt at logical progression. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'To commence with' and 'Shifting toward final view' are used, but the transitions between sentences are sometimes abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the use of 'former notion' which contradicts the final stance. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow of ideas within paragraphs lacks sophistication. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words more naturally and ensure that your ideas follow a logical sequence that supports your central thesis.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'few mases' (likely meant 'few masses' or 'some people'), 'moneymaking' (which is informal), and 'greatest than' (should be 'better than'). The repetition of 'online media' and 'theatres' suggests a limited range. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated vocabulary and the presence of errors in collocation prevent a higher score. Expanding your range of synonyms and learning common collocations related to technology and culture would significantly enhance your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include missing articles ('in theatres', 'in era of technology'), incorrect verb forms ('discus' instead of 'discuss', 'abut' instead of 'and'), and punctuation errors. Some sentences are clunky, such as 'online media is in hand anyone can watch it anytime'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent use of articles, and proofreading for basic spelling and typographical errors to ensure your complex sentences are grammatically sound.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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