Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some people argue that technological advancement has made cinemas and theatres largely unnecessary. Nowadays, a wide range of entertainment is available online on 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 remain 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 a cinema to watch movies. For example, Netflix and Amazon Prime have made it easier for their audience to sit comfortably at home and watch a 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 convenience is particularly appealing to people with busy schedules, as they can relax and watch their preferred programmes whenever they have free 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 a 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. Furthermore, cinemas and theatres can promote local culture by screening regional films, hosting film festivals and providing a platform for local artists.

In conclusion, although online streaming provides a cheaper and more convenient form of entertainment, cinemas and theatres continue to have significant economic and cultural value. In my view, their ability to support local businesses, employment and shared cultural experiences makes them an important part of modern society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and clearly stating an opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the economic and cultural arguments in the second body paragraph. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis of the 'economic' impact, such as mentioning the role of cinemas in urban regeneration or the specific challenges faced by independent theatres. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two main viewpoints is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'For instance', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through the argument without difficulty. The use of referencing is accurate, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'technological advancement', 'streaming platforms', 'cost-effective', and 'regional films'. There is some attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choice is generally precise. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of subordinate clauses starting with 'Although' and 'As'. The grammar is largely accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The sentences are generally well-constructed, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. To achieve a higher score, the student could incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional sentences, to show greater flexibility.

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