Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In recent years, 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 believes 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, unlike cinemas and theaters, online entertainment platforms allow people to watch movies and dramas from almost anywhere and at any time. With the widespread availability of the internet, viewers can easily access a wide range of content on their phones and other electronic devices. Moreover, people often have busy lifestyles and may not have enough time to visit cinemas or spend money on tickets. Therefore, they increasingly prefer online platforms because they are more convenient and accessible. 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 figure demonstrates that now people prefer to consume content online.

Secondly, another group argues that people can learn about their culture through cinemas and theaters. Culturally, cinemas and theaters serve as communal spaces that foster shared emotional experiences—a collective resonance that solitary streaming in a living room cannot replicate. Live theater, in particular, offers an unscripted dynamism between actors and audiences that digital screens fail to capture. Economically, the film and performing arts industries rely heavily on theatrical releases to generate revenue, which in turn finances future artistic production. Additionally, these venues stimulate local commerce by driving foot traffic to neighboring restaurants, retail outlets, and public transport systems.

In conclusion, in my view, even though culture and finance are vital in human life, due to the busy lifestyles of individuals, people prefer to watch content online, which is very convenient to save energy as well as time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly in the second body paragraph where you contrast the 'communal' nature of theaters with the 'solitary' nature of streaming. The inclusion of a specific example regarding Netflix in Pakistan adds credibility to your argument. However, the conclusion is slightly weak; while you state your opinion, it does not fully synthesize the points made in the body paragraphs, focusing primarily on convenience rather than acknowledging the cultural value you previously identified. To reach a higher band, ensure your conclusion reflects the complexity of the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is generally clear. There is a minor issue with sentence fragments in the introduction ('While another group...'), which slightly affects the flow, but overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'rapid proliferation', 'communal spaces', 'collective resonance', and 'unscripted dynamism' effectively. This shows an ability to use less common lexical items with some awareness of style. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'financial report of Netflix' (which could be more precisely phrased as 'financial data' or 'market analysis') and 'save energy as well as time' (which is slightly awkward in this context). However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and flexibility, and there are no significant errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'if' or relative clauses, which shows good control. Most sentences are error-free, though there are some minor grammatical slips, such as the sentence fragment in the introduction starting with 'While another group...'. Additionally, the phrase 'which is very convenient to save energy as well as time' in the conclusion is slightly clunky. Despite these minor issues, your control over grammar and punctuation is generally strong, and the majority of your sentences are accurate, allowing for clear communication of your arguments.

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