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)
In the modern world, some people say that in the digital age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important because people can watch all the entertainment they want online, whereas others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. In my estimation, theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally.
On the one hand, it is true that we have progressed so much digitally. Everyone has their personal phone, iPad, or laptop. Through the internet, we can watch anything, anytime. In this fast world, no one has time to sit and watch movies in cinemas and theatres. Everyone wants to save their time and do other things rather than follow the culture. Several people think that buying tickets for cinemas and theatres is not enough for a better economy even though they believe that online earning is also another way do make it more better. New applications and websites are made, so everyone just wants to experience them. Some people
On the other hand, some people really enjoy going to theatres and cinemas. This habit helps them to get in touch with other person who have the same interest. This activity makes their mind fresh and lively. When people go outside to watch all of this entertainment will better the economy also, culture that is fading over time will be preserved through this tradition.
In conclusion, going to theatres and cinemas is better than increasing screen time while watching movies that could be watched in cinemas, consequently, preferring theatres and cinemas is better both economically and culturally.
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 response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding the economic impact of cinemas is mentioned but not explained with sufficient depth or specific examples. The essay ends abruptly with an incomplete sentence in the second paragraph, which limits the overall development of the argument. To improve, ensure that each point is fully supported with logical reasoning or concrete examples, and avoid leaving thoughts unfinished. The position is consistent, but the depth of analysis needs to be more robust to reach higher bands.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'In conclusion'. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between the second and third paragraphs is slightly abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a complete thought at the end of the second paragraph disrupts the logical progression. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph transitions smoothly into the next, maintaining a consistent logical thread throughout the entire response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. Phrases like 'make it more better' are grammatically incorrect and demonstrate a limited range of lexical control. While the student uses some relevant topic-specific vocabulary such as 'digital age', 'economically', and 'culturally', there is a reliance on simple, repetitive language. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition. For example, instead of 'watch all of this entertainment', consider using 'engage with diverse forms of media'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'get in touch with other person' (should be 'other people') and 'make it more better' (a double comparative error). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure in the second paragraph is fragmented. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparatives. Reviewing basic sentence construction will help reduce the frequency of errors and allow for more complex, error-free sentences.
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.