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)

Some people argue that in this technology era, people can watch all the entertainment online that’s why theatres and cinemas are not important anymore, while others believe that these play a significant role till now both economically and traditionally. In this essay, i will discuss both views how online websites save money and watch anything whatever they want, and how it is important to go theatres on occasions with family and earn money from tickets. In my opinion, there are many online websites to watch any type of shows without investing money to go outside for movie.

On the one hand, nowadays many people prefer to watch at home because as this is digital era so people can search anything online of their own choice. They may find many programmes on different websites, for example, a person may search Wednesday series on Netflix. He may have many options using subtitles, increase a speed and quality of screen. They have to pay small amount of subscription only , and they can watch it for whole month. Furthermore, a large number of people may comfortable at home, they may set their laptop and grab chips. Not only subscription based websites available, but also there are free websites, such as Netmirror and Cinego. These digitally free websites may be helpful for them to enjoy their own favorite series without spending money. Therefore, these online sites may become sufficient for people to watch movies or series at their own pace.

On the other hand, these theatres and cinemas are also essential because mostly people prefer to go there occasionally. They may need environment and big screen to enjoy that vibe. For example, a whole family may purchase their tickets to watch movie on specific event like Eid. They may get time to spend with each other and enjoy some time outside. Furthermore, it’s also important for people, who may generate income from these movies. It may be beneficial for them, when a lot of people come to cinemas and purchase the snacks like popcorns. As a result, these are important for people who run their cinemas and for cultural events.

In conclusion, although watching movies from these theatres may give enjoyment to people and source of income, in my opinion, many people prefer to watch it digitally using different websites and find it comfortable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the convenience of streaming services versus the social and economic value of cinemas. However, the development is somewhat uneven. The arguments regarding the economic impact of cinemas are a bit simplistic, focusing primarily on snack sales rather than broader industry contributions. While the position is clear, the conclusion slightly contradicts the balanced approach by leaning heavily toward the digital side without fully synthesising the two perspectives. Overall, the response is well-structured and meets the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices are present, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive, and the referencing is occasionally slightly unclear (e.g., 'these' is used frequently without a clear antecedent). Despite these minor issues, the progression of ideas is coherent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There is an attempt to use topic-specific language like 'subscription based', 'digital era', and 'generate income'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'traditional' used where 'cultural' or 'social' would be more precise, and 'increase a speed' instead of 'increase the speed'. Some phrasing is slightly informal or awkward, such as 'grab chips'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the student attempts complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the theatres', 'a whole family'), subject-verb agreement ('mostly people prefer'), and preposition usage. Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some issues with comma splices and capitalization (e.g., 'i' instead of 'I'). These errors are noticeable but do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student needs to demonstrate more consistent control over complex structures and reduce the frequency of basic grammatical slips.

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