Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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 5.5)
There is no denying the fact that theatres and cinemas are a popular form of entertainment. While it is a commonly held belief that theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online, there is also an argument that theatres and cinemas are still crucial both economically and culturally. This essay will analyse this topic from both points of view and express my opinion.
On one hand, watching online films has become a convenient way to enjoy entertainment. In other words, there are a lot of applications like Facebook and Youtube to watch various films and funny reels. As a result, some people believe that cinemas and theatres have become boring because they can watch what they want at their homes. In addition, people are forced to pay an enormous amount of money for tickets to get into cinemas. For example, people can watch a film at home without having to deal with noise from other viewers.
On the other hand, the majority of people think that theatres and cinemas are a suitable way to learn about their local culture and improve the economic situation. It is possible to say that going to cinemas is a beneficial way to teach young people about their culture. Moreover, it contributes to the country's economy. For instance, a lot of tourists from other countries pay to watch a show at historic theatres to enjoy their time.
In conclusion, there are no easy answers to this question on balance, however I tend to believe that watching films online is the easiest way to enjoy our time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the rise of online entertainment and the enduring economic and cultural value of theatres and cinemas—and presents a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are generally relevant, though some arguments, such as the mention of Facebook and YouTube for watching films, are somewhat superficial and under-developed. Additionally, the conclusion introduces a slight contradiction by stating that watching films online is the easiest way to enjoy our time, whereas the body paragraph outlined cultural and economic benefits. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, fitting the criteria for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is structured logically with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a brief conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different perspectives. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the text, such as "While it is a commonly held belief," "On one hand," and "On the other hand." However, some referencing is slightly mechanical or repetitive, and transitions between sentences can feel a bit formulaic. Progression is visible throughout the text, leading to a coherent overall arrangement that satisfies the requirements for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with terms like "entertainment," "economically and culturally," and "beneficial way." There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as "enormous amount of money" and "contributes to the country's economy." However, word choice and collocations are occasionally basic or slightly unnatural, such as "enjoy their time" used repeatedly in place of "have a pleasant experience" or "appreciate the performance." Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, placing the lexical range firmly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'While' and 'because'. There is good control over basic grammar, and punctuation is generally correct. However, sentence structures can be somewhat repetitive in their construction. Grammatical errors are relatively infrequent and do not impede communication, though complex structures occasionally lack variety or precise phrasing. This performance is consistent with the Band 6.0 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.
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