Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16
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)
Some individuals argue that theatres and cinemas are going to become obsolete in the modern era, as individuals can enjoy any type of entertainment they like at home. Others argue that theatres and cinemas are crucial from an economic and cultural perspective. I believe that the importance of theatres and cinemas has plummeted because anyone can enjoy any specific type of entertainment anytime they prefer.
On the one hand, theatres and cinemas are part of our culture and give an immersive, shared community experience. They generate a lot of revenue to boost the economy of the country along with providing hundreds of jobs. They have provided everyone a place to enjoy and spend leisure time . Live theatre offers human connection and an unrepeatable performance that digital screens cannot provide. Moreover, many advanced cinemas like IMAX can give you an unforgettable experience that traditional cinemas couldn’t.
On the other hand, modern technology provides entertainment at a fraction of cost and offers instant access to vast libraries. For example, many streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video entertain their consumers from the comfort of their home. Although these platforms have diminished the face-to-face interaction, they help save the cost of entertainment. Modern 4K screens and digital sound systems closely replicate the visual and audio quality of traditional cinemas. This has also helped in reducing our carbon footprint because people are less likely to leave their home for entertainment.
In conclusion, although cinemas and theatres do have their cultural and economic importance, yet alternatives like streaming platforms have gained the market and provide entertainment at any time at a considerably low cost.
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 by discussing both views—the importance of theatres and cinemas versus their obsolescence in the digital age—and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are relevant and supported with explanations, such as economic benefits, cultural experiences, and the convenience of home streaming. However, the position could be further developed, and the argument tends to overgeneralise slightly regarding the complete replacement of cinemas. Overall, the requirements of the prompt are successfully met, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction, through body paragraphs representing contrasting views, to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct perspective. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover' are employed to guide the reader through the text, although some transitions feel slightly formulaic. Referencing is generally clear, resulting in a coherent overall structure that meets the standard for a Band 7 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, using terms such as 'obsolete', 'immersive', 'carbon footprint', and 'streaming platforms'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary with an awareness of style and collocation. While word choices are mostly appropriate, minor inaccuracies occur, such as saying entertainment is provided 'at a fraction of cost' (missing an article) and a slight redundancy in the concluding sentence ('although... yet'). These errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating conditional-style structures and subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'Some individuals argue that theatres and cinemas are going to become obsolete... as individuals can enjoy...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, alongside a few minor grammatical lapses, such as 'have provided everyone a place to enjoy and spend leisure time .' (missing preposition and awkward spacing before the period) and the double connector in the conclusion ('although... yet'). Overall, control of grammar and punctuation is good and communication is never impeded.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.