Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
It is widely argued that in contemporary era, theatres and cinemas no longer serve a definite purpose anymore and people can use digital devices to watch every type of entertainment online. Conversely, others contend that theatres and cinemas still hold cultutral and economic value. I agree with the former notion up to some extent as online devices provide a more convenient and affordable way of watching movies compared to cinemas and theatres.
On one hand, opponents assert that theatres and cinemas are still economically and culturally essential for the local community. This is because many older citizens grew up watching movies in cinemas when there were no modern devices or tools to offer online streaming services. For them cinemas still hold some traditional values as they remind them of the values and bonding they shared with their families and friends. According to them, watching movie in a cinema with family members can deepen the bonding between children and their parents as they all sit and share their experiences together. Moreover, they are also economically significant for the people working in the theatres. For instance, many stage actors are dependent on the revenue generated by selling theatre tickets to earn a living for their families. However, the advantages offered by modern devices potentially outweigh the benefits of theatres and cinemas.
Proponents posit that online platforms offer many convenient ways to watch entertainment. For example, individuals can search up any movie or TV show online and can watch them at their own pace . In addition, they can rewind or forward the movie depending on their mood without having to worry about continously looking at the screen. Futhermore, people do not need to pay large sum of money for tickets and do not have to wait in long queues to buy them, especially when the cinemas are crowded.
To conclude, while cinemas and theatres might still hold some significance for some traditional people, I believe the integration of advanced technology has made them redundant in modern era.
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 argument regarding stage actors and the convenience of digital platforms. However, the development of the 'cultural' argument is slightly repetitive, focusing heavily on nostalgia rather than broader cultural impact. The essay maintains a clear focus on the topic, and the arguments are relevant and logically supported, meeting the requirements for a Band 7 score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'On one hand', 'Moreover', and 'To conclude', which help guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions between sentences could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow, justifying a Band 7 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is sufficient for the task, allowing for some precision in expressing ideas, such as 'contemporary era', 'redundant', and 'integration of advanced technology'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'cultutral' (spelling error) and 'search up', which is a phrasal verb that is slightly informal for an academic essay. However, the range is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly, and the student demonstrates an ability to use topic-specific vocabulary related to entertainment and technology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, which demonstrates good control. However, there are persistent minor errors, such as missing articles ('watching movie', 'in modern era') and occasional punctuation or phrasing issues ('up to some extent' should be 'to some extent'). These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. The variety of structures is sufficient, but more complex grammatical forms could be used with greater precision.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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