Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14
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 decades, many individuals believe that in the digital age world, theatres and cinemas are no longer crucial since people can watch all the shows, movies and web series on entertainment platforms, Conversely, others people say that theater and cinemas are still vital part of economically and culturally.
On the one hand, nowadays advanced technology is growing in the world and people have smartphones, they can easily watch movies on their phones and laptops. This is because people think that it is convenient for them and its cost-effective, they can watch any movies online. Even it online method offer privacy and people who do not have sufficient time for go to threatres and cinemas they can watch show at home. A clear example of this is that in the contemporary era there are several enterainment apps are available such as Netflix, Amazon prime and MX player individuals can use these apps and watch movies at anytime and anywhere. Some do not like stand people line and wait for cinemas ticket, but this probelm solved with digital platforms.
On the other hand, theatres and cinemas provide fun and chill environment, if they go with their friends. The main reason for this is that friends and families cannot watch movies on one small screen. Furthermore, theatres and cinemas are contributing in country economic growth. For instance, when a movie become popular in the country they generate a lot of money when people watch that movie and they give taxes to government, which help to country growth.
In conclusion, online plantforms can provide privacy and if people do not have enough time they can watch any enterainment on their phone. However, theatres and cinemas offer big screen and watch easily. It help to country development after pay a large amount of tax.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—the decline of physical venues due to online platforms and their ongoing economic and cultural importance—while providing a personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the discussion on economic benefits touches on ticket sales and taxes, but lacks deeper expansion or concrete real-world examples beyond broad generalisations. Similarly, the arguments regarding convenience and privacy are stated rather than fully explored. Nevertheless, a clear position is maintained throughout the essay. This performance aligns best with Band 6.0 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed, such as On the one hand, On the other hand, and In conclusion, which help signpost the essay's structure. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, pronouns are occasionally ambiguous, as seen in the phrase 'if they go with their friends', where the antecedent is slightly unclear. Additionally, paragraph transitions lack subtle connection, leading to a somewhat formulaic flow. These features are characteristic of Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to the topic, such as 'digital age', 'entertainment platforms', 'contemporary era', and 'economic growth'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout the text. Examples include 'theater and cinemas are still vital part of economically and culturally' (grammatical form error in collocation), 'stand people line' (missing preposition), and 'online plantforms' (spelling slip). The writer attempts less common vocabulary such as 'cost-effective' and 'privacy', but inaccuracies in word choice prevent the response from achieving a higher band. This corresponds to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting complex structures through relative clauses and conditional-style constructions, such as 'Even it online method offer privacy and people who do not have sufficient time... they can watch show at home'. However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('several enterainment apps are available', 'a movie become popular'), tense inconsistencies, and missing articles ('help to country growth'). While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to preclude a Band 6.0, placing the response firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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