Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04
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)
It is often argued that theatres and cinemas are becoming unnecessary because people can watch entertainment online, whereas others believe that theatres and cinemas are still important economically and culturally .In this essay i will discuss both perspectives along with my opinion in my upcoming paragraphs.
On the one hand, supporters of theatres and cinemas are no longer paramount for individuals can watch all the programs through internet. This is because online platforms are often more convenient and cheaper. For example, many websites and apps are available in smartphones where people can buy subscriptions at low cost to entertain themselves. they also watch from home without travelling, buying tickets or waiting. Therefore, it has many benefits to watch entertainment through streaming services.
On the other hand, those who support theatres and cinemas are still important. The main reason is they provide a social experience that online entertainment cannot fully replace. Cinemas create jobs and generate income for local business and the entertainment industry. For instance, people may go to theatres to watch plays , concerts or traditional performances. Therefore, there importance cannot be replaced. I believe that this view is more convincing because they provide unique social experiences and contribute significantly to the economy and culture.
In conclusion, although online streaming services has some advantages, for its convenience, cheaper and more accessible. However, I believe that cinemas and theatres remain valuable for cultural preservation, because they promote traditional art, drama and local culture as well as cultural performances can help younger generations understand their heritage.
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 sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding the economic importance of cinemas is mentioned but not fully explored with specific examples or deeper analysis. The conclusion is slightly repetitive and contains a sentence fragment. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand on your supporting points with more detailed explanations or concrete examples, ensuring that the link between the economic/cultural benefits and the continued relevance of these venues is more robustly articulated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical, and there are instances where the flow is slightly disrupted, such as in the final paragraph where the sentence structure is fragmented ('although... has some advantages... However, I believe...'). Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences are grammatically complete will help improve the overall flow and coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'paramount', 'subscriptions', and 'cultural preservation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'supporters of theatres and cinemas are no longer paramount' (which is logically unclear) and 'there importance' (should be 'their'). The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring that your word choices accurately reflect the intended meaning in a formal context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('streaming services has'), punctuation errors (missing spaces after periods), and misuse of articles or pronouns ('there importance'). Additionally, some sentences are incomplete or poorly constructed, such as the final conclusion sentence. To improve, you should focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, specifically checking for subject-verb agreement and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and a main verb.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.