Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17

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)

It is often argued that theatres and cinemas are no longer important in the digital age because people can access a wide range of entertainment online, whereas others believe that they remain important in economic and cultural terms. In my opinion, the importance of these places has declined significantly because people can now enjoy many forms of entertainment online.

On the one hand, I believe that traditional venues, such as cinemas and theatres, have become less important as sources of entertainment because people can now enjoy a wide range of content online. People can access a wide variety of entertainment content through social media platforms. In addition, these platforms offer people the convenience of enjoying entertainment at home. People do not have to travel to cinemas or theatres or book tickets in advance; instead, they can enjoy entertainment from the comfort of their homes. For example, families can watch the latest movies and TV series on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon at a relatively low cost by subscribing to a package. For instance, one family member can subscribe to a package, allowing everyone in the household to watch the content for free. This can also save money that would otherwise be spent on separate tickets for each family member.

On the other hand, theatres and cinemas remain significant to a country's economy and culture. Governments can generate substantial revenue from these traditional venues, which also represent a country's cultural heritage and traditions. Undoubtedly, a substantial amount of entertainment content is available online, but many people still enjoy watching newly released movies on the big screens in cinemas. Moreover, people can experience a variety of local plays and live performances in theatres across their countries. Therefore, cinemas and theatres remain valuable for many people who want to experience live entertainment and performances. For example, people may have the opportunity to see many actors at promotional events for newly released films in cinemas. They may also meet their favorite celebrities and get their autographs.

In conclusion, although theatres and cinemas contribute to the economy and preserve cultural heritage, I believe that their importance has declined as people increasingly prefer to access a wide range of entertainment online, which allows them to save money and amuse themselves from homes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the view that theatres and cinemas are no longer important due to online entertainment and the counter-view that they remain economically and culturally significant. The student clearly states their personal position in the introduction and reiterates it in the conclusion, arguing that digital alternatives have reduced the importance of traditional venues. Ideas are generally well supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the mention of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon. However, some arguments in the second body paragraph lean towards repetition regarding the convenience of streaming, which slightly limits the depth of the ideas. Overall, the task is addressed well, aligning closely with the Band 7 requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with a well-defined introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs introduced by conventional cohesive markers ('On the one hand', 'On the other hand'), and concluding with a summary statement. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, such as 'In addition', 'For example', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is used logically and appropriately to separate the contrasting perspectives. While referencing and substitution are mostly clear, occasional mechanical repetition of phrases like 'access a wide range of entertainment' slightly affects the flow, placing this text firmly in the Band 7 category.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'cultural heritage', 'substances revenue', 'streaming packages', and 'live performances'. There are appropriate attempts to use less common lexical items, and word choices are generally accurate. While vocabulary is functional and enables clear communication, it lacks the broader flexibility, precision, and stylistic sophistication required for higher bands. Minor recurring lexical choices prevent the score from reaching Band 7, making Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6 appropriate, though the clear execution supports a Band 6.0 rating.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'although theatres and cinemas contribute to the economy...'). There is a commendable level of grammatical accuracy, with many sentences remaining completely error-free. Punctuation is handled well throughout the response. While complex structures are attempted successfully, the grammatical range is somewhat standard rather than truly wide and flexible, meaning occasional minor slips and slightly repetitive sentence patterns prevent a higher score. Overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong and easily supports a Band 7 score.

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