Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06
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 recent days, the rapid proliferation of high-speed internet and smart devices has fundamentally altered entertainment consumption habits. One group believes that individuals can easily view content on their devices from anywhere in the world. While another group of people still believe that in the current era, theaters and cinemas are still vital both economically and culturally. This essay will discuss both views, and then I will state my opinion.
Firstly, with widespread availability of the internet to a large amount of the population, it is easy for anyone to watch any content from anywhere in the world. Additionally, with the advancement in technology and mobile devices in the pocket, viewers prefer to watch movies and dramas on their phones and other electronic gadgets. Everyone has busy lives, and they have no time to go to the cinema or spend money on tickets, and they prefer to watch through online entertainment platforms. For instance, a financial report of Netflix, which is an online entertainment platform, revealed that in just the last two years their subscribers jumped from ten million to 65 million in Pakistan. This survey shows that now people prefer to consume content online.
Secondly, another group argues that people can learn about their culture through cinemas and theaters. In theaters, audiences may have the opportunity to meet famous actors and gain a more authentic understanding of their culture. Moreover, when a new film is released, actors often visit cinemas to promote it and interact with their fans. For example, a cinema ticket may cost around 300 rupees, whereas watching the same content on YouTube can cost around 800 rupees. Therefore, cinemas can provide both cultural experiences and affordable entertainment.
In conclusion, according to my perspective, even though culture and finance are vital in human life, due to the busy and hectic routine of individuals, people prefer to watch content online, which is very convenient to save energy as well as time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The argument regarding the economic importance of cinemas is weak; the example provided (comparing a cinema ticket price to a YouTube subscription) is illogical and lacks factual grounding, which undermines the persuasiveness of the argument. While the position is clear, the supporting evidence in the second body paragraph needs more depth and logical consistency to reach a higher band. The essay covers the requirements but lacks the depth of analysis expected at higher levels.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Additionally', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the link between the economic argument and the example provided is disjointed, which affects the overall flow of the second body paragraph. Overall, the structure is functional and supports the development of the essay effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express ideas clearly. There are attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'proliferation', 'consumption habits', and 'authentic understanding'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of slightly unnatural word choices, such as 'in the pocket' or 'financial report of Netflix'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band. The student uses basic vocabulary to describe complex concepts, which limits the overall impact of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over basic grammar, and errors are infrequent enough that they do not impede communication. However, there are some minor errors, such as 'While another group of people still believe' (which is a sentence fragment) and 'according to my perspective' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). The variety of complex structures is present but not consistently accurate. To improve, the student should focus on refining sentence variety and ensuring that complex clauses are punctuated correctly to enhance the overall flow and grammatical precision.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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