Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 people believe that cinemas and theatres are not as significant in this digital era as they were in the past because they can watch all types of entertainment on digital platforms .However, other thinks that cinemas are still important because they are a part of economy and culture. I think cinema is still worthy but its value has been decreased over the last two decades with advancement in the digital platforms .

Two decades ago, there were not many digital platforms or entertainment channels. The only option people had was cinemas and theatres. People used to go to cinemas with their families and friends to watch movies and spend good time together. It was not just a source of entertainment but also a way of hanging out with friends and family members to make happy memories. So cinema became a part of culture and ofcourse ,economy. It got embeded in the people memory and this tradition was passed onto the next generations.

However, with the progression of technology and internet, many OTT platforms started offering movies and web shows online at a cheaper price. People started watching them on their phones instead of going through the hustle of travelling to cinema, buying a ticket and then watching a movie. Content became just one click away. with this huge change, The audience of cinema has lessened , but not vanished. Because some people still prefer to watch movies in the cinema because they prefer watching with their family and friends and cinema. They want to keep cinema culture and tradition alive.

In conclusion, It is true that the cinema and theatre audience has decreased, but its has not vanished. Cinemas and theatres are still important both culturally and economically.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the economic and cultural importance of cinemas, the arguments remain quite general. For instance, you state that cinemas are 'part of economy and culture' but do not elaborate on how they contribute to local economies or specific cultural experiences beyond 'hanging out'. To reach a higher band, ensure that each body paragraph contains a more detailed explanation or a specific example to support your claims. Your position is clear throughout, but the depth of analysis could be improved to fully satisfy the requirements for a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Two decades ago', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel abrupt. For example, the jump from discussing the history of cinemas to the rise of OTT platforms is functional but could be smoother with more sophisticated linking phrases. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as the repetitive use of 'cinema' at the end of the third paragraph. Overall, the progression of ideas is easy to follow, but the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'digital platforms', 'progression of technology', and 'vanished'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'other thinks' (should be 'others think') and 'hustle of travelling' (the word 'hassle' is more appropriate here). You also use 'embeded' (spelling error) and 'ofcourse' (should be two words). While you successfully convey your meaning, the vocabulary is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and ensure accurate spelling of common academic terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical slips throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('other thinks') and punctuation errors, such as the space before the comma in 'platforms .However' and 'ofcourse ,economy'. There are also minor errors with articles and prepositions, such as 'part of economy' (should be 'part of the economy') and 'in the people memory' (should be 'in people's memories'). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be beneficial.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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