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)

There is an ongoing debate about whether cinemas and theatres are still important in the digital age, when people can access almost all forms of entertainment online. Some people argue that online platforms may eventually replace cinemas and theatres, whereas others believe that these places continue to have significant economic and cultural importance. I believe that cinemas and theatres are still crucial because they contribute to the economy and help preserve cultural values.

One of the main reasons why cinemas remain important is that they can contribute significantly to a country's economy. When people visit cinemas to watch films, they spend money on tickets as well as other products and services, which generates revenue. In addition, cinemas provide employment opportunities for a large number of people, including ticket sellers, cleaners, security staff and food vendors. For example, most cinemas have food stalls selling products such as popcorn, slushes and fries, creating additional sources of income and employment. Therefore, the continued popularity of cinemas can have a positive impact on the economy.

Another significant advantage of cinemas is that they promote cultural and traditional values. People from different regions and backgrounds can come together to watch their favourite films and spend their leisure time. In this environment, they have opportunities to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and discuss the stories, characters and messages presented in movies. Such interactions can strengthen social connections and allow people to understand different perspectives. Thus, cinemas can serve not only as places of entertainment but also as social and cultural spaces.

On the other hand, many people argue that cinemas are no longer necessary because online streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video provide considerable benefits. For instance, these services give people easy access to a wide variety of movies and web series at a relatively low cost. People can watch entertainment from the comfort of their homes without having to travel to a cinema. However, I believe that some online platforms can also create problems for the film industry, particularly when movies are illegally pirated and distributed without authorisation, either before or shortly after their official release. This can potentially reduce the revenue received by filmmakers and cinemas.

In conclusion, although online platforms offer convenient and affordable access to entertainment, I believe that cinemas and theatres remain important. They contribute to economic activity and employment while also providing opportunities for social interaction and cultural exchange. Therefore, they continue to play a valuable role in modern society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—the decline of cinemas due to online entertainment and their ongoing economic and cultural importance—while clearly stating the writer's own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The position is well-maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning specific employment roles like ticket sellers and cleaners, and addressing the issue of digital piracy. The content is directly focused on the prompt, and all parts of the task receive adequate and balanced attention, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, moving through body paragraphs that cover economic importance, cultural value, and counterarguments, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'For example', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the text flows smoothly without abrupt transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items and phrases such as 'ongoing debate', 'significant economic and cultural importance', 'employment opportunities', and 'cultural exchange' are employed appropriately. Word choice is generally natural, and although there are no highly sophisticated or rare academic idioms, the vocabulary used is more than adequate for the task. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay exhibits a good variety of complex structures, including conditional or time clauses ('When people visit cinemas...', 'particularly when movies are illegally pirated...') and relative clauses ('...which generates revenue'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong. While the sentence structures lean slightly toward standard complex forms rather than highly elaborate syntactic varieties, the grammar remains accurate and never impedes communication.

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