Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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)

Entertainment is crucial for people's lives due to today's fast-paced life. In the recent years, the issue of whether cinemas and theatres are unnecessary or they contribute to economy and culture, has remained a matter of debate among the society. This essay will discuss both views as well as state my own opinion.

To commence with, there are several reasons why people find it unnecessary. The first and foremost is, easy access to the online entertainment sources. Modern technology has provided everyone with mobile phones, televisions and laptops, as a result, they can explore any kind of content which they may not get to see in cinemas. Moreover, online platforms not only provide comfort and privacy but also are cost-effective. As individuals can watch anything while being at their home and they do not have to spend money on buying tickets.

On the other hand, the opponents of this view argue that cinemas and theatres hold economic and cultural value. The dramas or shows presented in theatres are based on traditions or history of people from different backgrounds as a result they remember their heritage. In addition, cinemas help to maintain a strong bond between family or friends members as they spend a quality time together. Also, cinemas generate a large money for authorities which in turn used for public expenditure.

Although, digital platforms have made entertainment consumption easily and cheaply accessible to everyone, I personally believe that cinemas and theatres still hold a special value in society and people must recognize them.

To conclude, it can be said even though, modern technology has several benefits as it is convenient and cost-effective, cinemas and theatres on the other hand boost economy, carries traditional values and strengthens bond.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that cinemas are unnecessary due to digital platforms and that they remain culturally and economically vital—while also presenting a clear personal opinion. The student's position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly the arguments concerning convenience, cost-effectiveness, and cultural heritage. However, some supporting points, such as the generation of money for public expenditure, could have been extended with a specific example to reach a higher level of development. Overall, the task response is well-structured and fulfills all core requirements effectively, aligning closely with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The structure follows a standard four-paragraph format with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing opposing viewpoints, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader, such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct themes. While referencing and paragraph flow are generally clear, some cohesive transitions feel slightly mechanical or formulaic, which prevents the essay from reaching the higher bands. Nonetheless, the overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, employing terms such as 'fast-paced life', 'cost-effective', 'cultural heritage', and 'digital platforms'. There are attempts to use less common items with general awareness of style and collocation, such as 'entertainment consumption' and 'public expenditure'. However, there are occasional word choice and collocation slips, such as 'generate a large money' instead of 'generate a large amount of money' or 'generate significant revenue', and 'carries traditional values' instead of 'upholds traditional values'. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding the reader, making a Band 6.5 or 7.0 appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating good control of structure in many parts of the essay, such as 'Modern technology has provided everyone with mobile phones, televisions and laptops, as a result, they can explore any kind of content...' However, there are frequent grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text. Examples include comma splices ('...different backgrounds as a result they remember...'), minor preposition or article issues ('In the recent years', 'while being at their home'), and awkward phrasing like 'made entertainment consumption easily and cheaply accessible'. There is also a fragment in the conclusion ('carries traditional values and strengthens bond'). These frequent errors indicate a mix of accurate complex structures alongside persistent minor mistakes, placing the grammar securely in the Band 6 territory.

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