Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02
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)
It is argued by some people that theatres and cinemas are economically and culturally significant. However, others prefer watching movies and plays at home on a screen. I strongly agree with the former perspective; the benefits of live theatres and cinemas outweigh the digital experience.
On the one hand, cinemas and theatres are a great way to grow the national economy and show the culture of the country. A showcase of the culture through classical plays can facilitate defining the national identity of the state. These establishments can generate revenue through tourism. Higher foot traffic in these places can increase the overall profit earned, which results in a better economy for the country. In addition, it creates job opportunities for individuals, which further adds to the financial state of the nation. Moreover, the live experience can hardly be overshadowed by a virtual one. For instance, the feelings that one experiences in a live cinema, watching a very anticipated movie, can not be the same as watching at home.
On the other hand, the convenience of watching plays and movies on the internet from the comfort of home is appreciated by many people. Individuals prefer to stay home and control the timing of movies and shows that they can watch in one go. They are not bound to any specific timings, which are provided by the organisations. Furthermore, watching online is comparatively cheaper, and a greater number of movies can be watched in one go without worrying about the cost of each watch. However, I believe this convenience cannot outweigh the real-life experience.
In conclusion, while some of the population prefers watching shows and movies on online platforms, other people like the physical experience of the cinema. I agree with the population that likes the real experience, because this approach not only boosts economy and shows off a nations culture and is more enjoyable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are generally well-developed, particularly the economic and cultural arguments in the second paragraph. However, the development of the 'convenience' argument in the third paragraph is slightly less detailed. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reiterates the writer's stance. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples of how cinemas contribute to national identity or offer a more nuanced comparison between the two modes of entertainment.
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 paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, some cohesive links are slightly repetitive or mechanical. For instance, the use of 'in one go' appears twice in the third paragraph, which slightly impacts the flow. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and the logical structure is clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning with some flexibility. The student uses relevant terms such as 'national identity', 'revenue', and 'foot traffic'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly simplistic or repetitive, such as 'watching movies' and 'watching shows'. The word choice is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. To improve, the student should aim for more varied collocations and avoid repeating basic verbs like 'watch' or 'like'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the majority of sentences are error-free. However, there are minor slips, such as 'a nations culture' (missing apostrophe) and 'can not be the same' (should be 'cannot'). While the student attempts complex structures, the range is somewhat limited. The punctuation is generally correct, but the overall variety of sentence types could be expanded to demonstrate greater flexibility. The errors present are non-systematic and do not hinder the reader's understanding.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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