Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15
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 the digital age, people have different opinions about whether theatres and cinemas are still important. Some believe that they are no longer necessary because entertainment is available online, while others think they still have economic and cultural value. This essay will discuss both views and explain my opinion.
On the one hand, online entertainment has made theatres and cinemas less essential. People can now watch films, dramas, and programmes at home using streaming services. This is convenient because viewers can choose what they want to watch at any time. It is also often cheaper than buying cinema tickets. For example, students can watch a new film at home without spending money on transport.
On the other hand, theatres and cinemas continue to play an important role in society. Going to a cinema provides a social experience that cannot be completely replaced by watching a film alone at home. People can meet friends and family and enjoy a large screen and high-quality sound. Theatres are also important for culture because they provide opportunities for actors and directors to perform their work. In addition, these places create many jobs and support local businesses.
In my opinion, although online entertainment is convenient and popular, theatres and cinemas are still important. They offer social and cultural experiences and support the economy. Therefore, I believe digital entertainment will change how people enjoy films, but it will not completely replace traditional theatres and cinemas.
Overall, both forms of entertainment have advantages. Online platforms provide comfort
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the task well, discussing both views regarding the importance of theatres and cinemas in the digital age and clearly stating a personal opinion. The introduction properly frames the debate, and the body paragraphs present balanced arguments. For instance, the student notes that online entertainment offers convenience and cost-effectiveness, while also highlighting the social experience and cultural value of physical cinemas. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as students saving money on transport. However, some arguments remain slightly general and could be further developed with deeper analysis to push into the higher band territory. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a clear and consistent position maintained throughout the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a clear introduction, moving through balanced body paragraphs, and concluding with a well-defined summary of the writer's position. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct ideas logically. Reference words and conjunctions are handled well, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are clear and easy to follow. Although the cohesion is somewhat standard rather than sophisticated, it successfully maintains a smooth flow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and allows the writer to convey their ideas with reasonable precision. The student successfully employs topic-specific vocabulary such as 'streaming services', 'digital age', 'cultural value', and 'social experience'. There are attempts at less common lexical items, and word choice is generally appropriate and natural. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout. While the range of vocabulary is adequate to discuss the topic clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated, idiomatic, or nuanced phrasing that characterises higher bands. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is used effectively and does not impede communication at any point.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The writer demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation, successfully mixing simple and complex sentence structures. Examples of complex structures include 'Some believe that they are no longer necessary because entertainment is available online' and 'Going to a cinema provides a social experience that cannot be completely replaced by watching a film alone at home.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. Grammatical errors are very rare, and those that do occur do not impede communication. The control over complex forms shows a solid foundation, justifying a strong band score in this category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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