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)

The rapid development of digital technology has transformed the way people consume entertainment. While some believe that theatres and cinemas have become unnecessary because almost any form of entertainment is available online, others argue that these venues continue to have significant economic and cultural value. Both views have merit, although I believe traditional venues remain important.

On the one hand, online entertainment is more convenient and often cheaper than visiting a theatre or cinema. People can watch films, television programmes and live performances from their homes at any time using streaming platforms. This is particularly beneficial for those who live far from entertainment centres or have limited free time. Furthermore, online platforms provide an enormous variety of content, allowing viewers to choose programmes according to their individual interests. As a result, some people may consider cinemas and theatres outdated.

On the other hand, these venues provide experiences that cannot be completely replicated online. Watching a film on a large screen with high-quality sound can be considerably more immersive than viewing it on a laptop or television. Similarly, theatre performances offer a unique atmosphere because actors perform directly in front of an audience. In addition, cinemas and theatres contribute to local economies by creating employment and generating revenue for surrounding businesses such as restaurants and transport services. They also preserve cultural traditions by providing spaces for live performances, festivals and artistic events.

In my opinion, digital entertainment has changed rather than eliminated the importance of theatres and cinemas. Although online platforms are more convenient, traditional venues offer social, cultural and immersive experiences that digital services cannot fully replace. Therefore, both forms of entertainment are likely to remain relevant.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—the rise of online entertainment making theatres redundant versus their ongoing economic and cultural importance—and provides a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout. The introduction outlines the two perspectives effectively, and the body paragraphs logically explore the convenience of digital streaming alongside the immersive experiences and financial contributions of traditional venues. Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, such as mentioning local businesses, streaming platforms, and atmospheric differences. The stance is maintained consistently from the introduction to the concluding paragraph, satisfying all requirements of the task with a high level of depth and clarity, easily aligning with Band 8 descriptors for task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, utilizing appropriate cohesive devices such as 'While some believe', 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand' to guide the reader smoothly between contrasting arguments. Paragraphing is used logically and effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme (the online perspective, the traditional perspective, and the conclusion). Referencing is clear throughout, and cohesive devices are employed naturally without feeling mechanical or overused, fully meeting the criteria for a strong Band 7 or 8 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student exhibits a sufficient and appropriate lexical range for the task, successfully incorporating less common vocabulary and collocations such as 'consume entertainment', 'significant economic and cultural value', 'immersive', and 'preserve cultural traditions'. Word choice is generally precise, allowing the writer to convey subtle nuances regarding convenience versus cultural preservation. While the vocabulary is not overly exotic or sophisticated enough to reach a Band 8 or 9, it is accurate, flexible, and completely natural, showing good control and avoiding any noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that might impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as concessive clauses ('While some believe that...') and relative clauses ('...spaces for live performances, festivals and artistic events'). The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There is a strong command of tense consistency and subject-verb agreement. The occasional minor limitations in structural variety keep it just shy of a Band 8, but the frequent error-free sentences and solid control over complex syntax firmly place this response in the Band 7 category.

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