Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
It is often argued that theatres and cinemas are no longer important in the digital age, as people can access all the entertainment they want online, whereas others maintain that theatres and cinemas remain significant both economically and culturally. This essay will discuss both perspectives before concluding with my own opinion.
Firstly, one advantage of the digital age is that there are numerous websites and online platforms through which people can watch entertainment. For instance, people can watch movies at home without spending money on transport, fuel, or ticket costs. However, there are also some disadvantages to this. One of the biggest is that constant reliance on online entertainment can affect social relationships. If a person is always using their phone or computer, they may become disconnected from their family and friends, as they are unable to give them their time and attention.
On the other hand, if theatres and cinemas continue to exist in the digital age, people can spend quality time with their families and create memorable experiences together. In addition, the money spent on tickets contributes to the local economy, supporting jobs and businesses connected to the entertainment industry. Furthermore, watching films or performances in theatres and cinemas with family or friends is also a cultural tradition in many societies, one that online streaming cannot fully replace.
In conclusion, while online entertainment offers convenience and cost savings, I believe that theatres and cinemas remain essential in the digital age, both for strengthening social bonds and for their economic and cultural contributions to society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that theatres and cinemas are no longer important due to online entertainment, and that they remain economically and culturally significant—while also providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are relevant and supported, such as mentioning transport and ticket cost savings for online viewing, and economic and cultural contributions for physical venues. However, some arguments, particularly regarding social relationships in the second paragraph, diverge slightly into general screen-time distraction rather than strictly comparing physical theatres with online viewing. Overall, the task is well handled, earning a Band 7.0 for addressing all parts with a clear position and extended ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response has a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It follows a traditional four-paragraph structure with an introduction, two body paragraphs exploring opposing views, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to guide the reader, such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-topic. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph two shifts abruptly from discussing online entertainment platforms to the social impacts of phone and computer usage. Despite this slight jump, cohesion is well managed, justifying a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. Appropriate terms and collocations related to the topic are employed, such as 'digital age', 'online streaming', 'local economy', and 'cultural tradition'. There are attempts to use less common phrasing like 'constant reliance' and 'memorable experiences together'. Word choice is generally natural, and spelling and word formation are accurate throughout. While the lexical range does not reach the flexibility and precision required for Band 7—as it relies mostly on common, functional vocabulary without sophisticated idiomatic or less common lexical items—it comfortably satisfies the requirements for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Examples of complex structures include subordinate clauses introduced by 'as', 'whereas', and 'while' (e.g., 'It is often argued that theatres and cinemas are no longer important in the digital age, as people can access all the entertainment they want online'). Grammatical accuracy is quite high; the majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the essay. While the range of complex structures is somewhat standard rather than wide and varied, the strong control over grammar and low error frequency merit a solid Band 7.0.
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