Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 argue that technological advancement has made cinemas and theatres largely unnecessary. Nowadays, all the entertainment activities are available online on the streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Others argue that cinemas and theatres remain important both economically and culturally. Although online platforms offer a cheaper alternative to cinemas, I believe that they are important as they provide a shared experience and employment opportunities.

Streaming platforms offer a cost-effective alternative to theatres. Nowadays, people no longer need to purchase cinema tickets or travel to cinema to watch movies. For example, Netflix and Amazon Prime have made it easier for their audience to sit comfortably at home and watch variety of entertainment shows. These services are also relatively affordable, allowing users to access a wide variety of films and programmes through a single subscription. This convinience is particulary appealing to the people with busy schedules who want to enjoy and relax at any time.

Although streaming platforms offer multiple advantages, cinemas and theatres remain important economically and culturally. They provide employment opportunities for the local people and generate business for nearby restaurants. For instance, people visiting cinema may spend money on snacks or meals at nearby restaurants. Cinemas also provide a shared experience of watching a movie that a streaming platform cannot fully replicate. People can watch films with their friends and family, creating memorable experiences that they can share in the future.

In conclusion, although online entertainment is an affordable alternative for people who want to enjoy entertainment on a flexible schedule, cinemas continues to hold significant importance. They provide employments for the local people and contribute to the local economy. Moreover, they provide a shared and memorable experience for the audiences.

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 in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the economic impact of cinemas and the convenience of streaming. However, the development of the 'cultural' aspect mentioned in the prompt is somewhat thin; while you mention shared experiences, it could be expanded further to reach a higher band. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, and the response effectively balances the two perspectives as required by the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices, such as 'Although', 'For instance', and 'Moreover', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive, and the paragraphing, while functional, could benefit from more sophisticated linking phrases to improve the flow between sentences. Overall, the structure is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'cost-effective alternative', 'technological advancement', and 'flexible schedule' are used appropriately. There are a few minor errors, such as 'convinience' (spelling) and 'watch variety of entertainment' (missing article 'a'). While you attempt to use some less common vocabulary, the range is somewhat limited and does not consistently reach the level of sophistication required for a Band 8. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is accurate enough to convey your meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and most sentences are error-free. However, there are occasional slips, such as 'cinemas continues' (subject-verb agreement) and 'people visiting cinema' (missing article 'a'). These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, you should aim for a greater variety of complex structures and ensure consistent accuracy in subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text.

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

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