Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19
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 7.0)
Nowadays, many people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer necessary because people can watch movies and shows online. However, others think that these places are still important for the economy and culture. This essay will discuss both views, and I will give my own opinion.
On the one hand, many people prefer online entertainment because it is more convenient and cheaper. Nowadays, streaming platforms offer a huge variety of movies, TV series and documentaries that people can watch at any time. They do not need to leave their homes or spend money on cinema tickets. In addition, many families already have smart TVs and fast internet, so they can enjoy a good viewing experience at home. As a result, fewer people visit theatres and cinemas than before.
On the other hand, I believe that theatres and cinemas still play an important role in society. Economically, they create many job opportunities for actors, ticket sellers, cleaners and security workers. They also help nearby restaurants and cafés because many people go out to eat before or after watching a film. Culturally, theatres help keep traditional plays and live performances alive. Watching a movie or a play in a theatre is also a special experience because of the large screen, powerful sound and the exciting atmosphere with other people. These things cannot be fully replaced by watching entertainments at home.
in conclusion, although online entertainment is becoming more popular because it is convenient and affordable, I believe that theatres and cinemas are still important. They support the economy, protect culture and provide a unique experience that people cannot enjoy through a screen at home.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on the importance of theatres and cinemas in the digital age, while also clearly stating the writer's own opinion in the introduction and body paragraphs. The ideas presented are relevant and adequately supported, such as mentioning streaming convenience on one hand and economic job creation and cultural preservation on the other. However, the development of ideas tends to remain at a general level rather than being fully extended with specific examples or deep analysis. For instance, the economic points about job creation and nearby restaurants are listed rather than explored in depth. This places the response comfortably at Band 6.5 to 7.0, as it fully addresses the prompt with a clear position, though some ideas could be further elaborated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical arrangement of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with a clear introduction, separate body paragraphs for each contrasting view, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', and 'As a result' are used to guide the reader through the text, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical or formulaic. Referencing is generally clear, and the logical flow from the discussion of online streaming to the enduring benefits of physical cinemas works well. However, the occasional reliance on simple linking phrases prevents the text from achieving a higher band. Overall, the coherence and cohesion reflect the standard of a Band 7.0 response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using topic-specific terms such as 'streaming platforms', 'job opportunities', 'traditional plays', and 'live performances'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, and meaning is communicated clearly throughout. However, the lexical range lacks flexibility and sophistication in places, leading to repetitive phrasing, such as the multiple uses of 'important', 'convenient', and 'entertainment'. There is also a minor vocabulary slip in the final paragraph with the pluralisation of an uncountable noun ('entertainments'). Word choice and collocation are generally accurate, placing this response securely at a Band 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over relative clauses and conditional-like structures, such as 'Nowadays, many people believe that theatres and cinemas are no longer necessary because people can watch movies and shows online.' There are numerous error-free sentences, and punctuation is generally handled well. Minor mechanical errors do appear, such as the lowercase 'in conclusion' at the start of the final paragraph. Grammatical structures are sufficiently varied, and errors do not impede communication at any point. This performance aligns well with the Band 7.0 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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