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 argue that in this modern era of technology, theatres and cinemas have lost their importance as people enjoy all entertainment at their homes online, but some people believe that theatres and cinemas are still crucial both financially and traditionally. I believe that enjoying this entertainment online is a more convenient and sustainable approach in this digital age. This essay will discuss both opinions and the reasons.
On the one hand, some people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer important and have lost their popularity these days. The main reason for this is that everyone has internet access at their homes and in their workplaces, so spending on theatre tickets is not a good idea and not a time-saving approach; they can watch whatever they want online at their convenience. For example, times have changed, and now everyone is busy in their lives, so it is a financially better way to save their hard-earned money.
Therefore, they prefer to stay at home and enjoy movies in their leisure time. I believe this view is more convincing in every way.
On the other hand, others argue that theatres and cinemas are still beneficial for their economic and cultural development. They believe that these entertainment spots show our cultural values and harmony. For instance, all family members, groups of friends or colleagues can go their enjoy their time. It brings them together, and they can have some quality time with their loved ones.
In conclusion, although both have advantages but I would go with the first opino
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While the first body paragraph explains the convenience of online entertainment, the second paragraph regarding the cultural and economic importance of theatres is quite brief and lacks specific examples or depth. Furthermore, the conclusion is incomplete, as it cuts off mid-sentence, which prevents a full summary of the argument. To improve, you should expand on the cultural benefits of theatres—such as the unique atmosphere or the support for local arts—and ensure your conclusion is fully articulated to reinforce your 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 signal the structure. Paragraphing is present, which helps the reader follow the argument. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the abrupt ending of the essay. The use of linking words is somewhat repetitive, and the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of cohesive markers to connect ideas more fluidly. The incomplete conclusion significantly impacts the overall coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the message to be conveyed clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'digital age', 'financially', and 'cultural values'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple phrasing. There are also minor errors, such as 'go their enjoy their time', which is grammatically awkward. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to the topic of entertainment and economics, and ensure greater accuracy in word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'everyone is busy in their lives' (should be 'with their lives') and the incomplete final sentence. Punctuation is generally functional, but the lack of a finished conclusion makes it difficult to assess your control over complex sentence endings. To improve, focus on reducing minor errors in prepositions and verb patterns, and ensure that all sentences are fully formed and grammatically complete.
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