Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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 5.0)

The issue of Digital age become a widely debated topic in recent years. While some people believe that online entertainment are important others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe that online entertainment is beneficial.

Analyzing the first perspective further, the foremost reason why some people support this view is that it can bring significant benefits to individuals and society. This is mainly because it can improve people's quality of life and help them deal with various challenges more effectively. As a result, individuals may become more productive and capable of achieving their personal and professional goals. For example, this approach can provide people with valuable opportunities and help them achieve better outcomes in their daily lives. Therefore, there are reasonable grounds for supporting this perspective.

On the other hand, there are also valid reasons for supporting the opposing view. One major reason is that it can address certain needs and challenges in a different way. This is mainly because different circumstances require different approaches, and a particular solution may not be equally suitable for everyone. As a result, people may experience different outcomes depending on their circumstances. For instance, this approach may help individuals deal with certain difficulties and make more appropriate decisions. Therefore, supporters of this view also have reasonable grounds for their position. However, after considering both perspectives, I believe that online platform is more convincing because it is likely to produce more beneficial and sustainable results.

In conclusion, although there are valid arguments in favour of both views, I believe that online entertainment is more convincing. This is primarily because it can improve people's quality of life, address important needs and contribute to better outcomes for individuals and society. Therefore, I firmly believe that this is the more appropriate approach.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to address the specific topic of theatres and cinemas. While you mention 'online entertainment' and 'theatres and cinemas' in the introduction, the body paragraphs are entirely generic. You discuss 'benefits to individuals' and 'addressing needs' without ever explaining why theatres or cinemas might be important economically or culturally, or why online platforms might be superior in the context of film and performance. The essay is essentially a template that could apply to any topic. To improve, you must provide specific arguments related to the prompt, such as the social experience of cinema or the economic impact on local communities, rather than using vague, abstract language.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing and standard linking phrases such as 'Analyzing the first perspective further' and 'On the other hand'. However, the progression of ideas is weak because the content itself is repetitive and lacks substance. The cohesive devices are used mechanically, and because the arguments are not developed, the flow feels circular. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that directly relates to the prompt and that subsequent sentences provide specific evidence or logical development rather than repeating the same general claims about 'outcomes' and 'circumstances'.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You frequently use vague phrases like 'significant benefits', 'valuable opportunities', and 'better outcomes', which do not demonstrate a range of topic-specific vocabulary. There is no attempt to use academic or subject-specific terminology related to the film industry, cultural heritage, or digital streaming technology. To improve, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to the prompt, such as 'cinematic experience', 'cultural preservation', 'digital accessibility', or 'economic viability'. The current word choice is too generic to allow for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains several grammatical errors. For example, 'The issue of Digital age become' should be 'The issue of the digital age has become', and 'online entertainment are' should be 'online entertainment is'. There is a lack of complex sentence structures; most sentences follow a simple subject-verb-object pattern. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of grammatical variety and the presence of basic errors in subject-verb agreement prevent a higher score. Focus on using a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or conditional sentences, and proofread carefully for basic agreement errors.

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

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