Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
People have different views about theatres and cinemas. While some believe that in the digital age they are no longer important because people can watch all the entertainment they want online, others argue that they are still important both economically and culturally. In my opinion, theatres and cinemas are still important for these reasons.
On the one hand, some people argue that theatres and cinemas are no longer important because audiences can watch their favourite entertainment online. The main reason is that the new generation has access to multiple online platforms where they can watch movies and shows whenever they want. For instance, nowadays, many people have subscriptions to Netflix and other streaming platforms, so they can save both time and money by watching movies on their devices. As a result, cinemas and theatres may receive fewer visitors and generate less revenue.
On the other hand, others believe that theatres and cinemas are still important because they contribute to the economy and culture. If people stop visiting these places, cinema owners and other businesses in the entertainment industry may suffer financially. For example, in Pakistan, low cinema attendance can negatively affect business owners who operate theatres and cinemas. Moreover, the entertainment industry plays an important role in the country's economy and provides opportunities for young people.
In conclusion, both views have valid arguments. However, I believe that theatres and cinemas are still important because they contribute to the economy and provide opportunities for the entertainment industry to grow.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that theatres and cinemas are no longer important due to online entertainment, and that they remain economically and culturally important. A clear position is stated in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the mention of streaming platforms like Netflix and the reference to business owners in Pakistan. However, a minor deduction has been applied because the response contains 248 words, which falls just short of the 250-word minimum task requirement. This slightly limits the depth of development in certain body paragraphs, aligning this criterion with a solid Band 6.5 or rounded to Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organization. It is divided into four standard paragraphs with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, as seen with transition phrases like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, and referencing throughout the text is clear. While the logical flow is mostly smooth, the overall brevity means the cohesive links are somewhat basic rather than flexible. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7.0 descriptors for logical organisation and progression.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to the prompt such as 'digital age', 'subscriptions', 'streaming platforms', and 'revenue'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'economically and culturally' and 'financially'. However, the vocabulary is at times repetitive, relying on standard collocations without showing a wide or flexible range of sophisticated lexical items. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. These characteristics place the lexical resource squarely within the Band 6.0 band descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The student displays a reasonable mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinating clauses effectively in sentences such as 'While some believe that in the digital age they are no longer important because people can watch all the entertainment they want online...'. There is good control of basic grammar and punctuation throughout the response, and communication is never impeded by errors. While complex structures are attempted and often accurate, there is not a high frequency of error-free complex sentences, which prevents the essay from reaching Band 7. The majority of sentences are clear and well-structured, making Band 6.5 an accurate reflection of the writer's grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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