Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20
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 6.0)
In the age of advanced technology, certain individuals believe that traditional sources of entertainment such as theatres and cinemas are not popular, while others argue that theatres and cinemas still play a vital role-economically and culturally. Although both views have valid arguments, but I firmly believe that a balanced approach works best.
On the one hand, the advancement of technology makes entertainment much more convenient, as you don't need to wait for weekends or holidays to plan any activity. For instance, a person who is tired from the hectic routine of the day watches some entertaining material before sleeping and relaxes his mind. Furthermore, every kind of entertainment, such as News, forecasts, movies, dramas, funny videos, and documentaries etc, is easily accessible through the internet on your smart gadgets, like mobile phones, laptops, iPads, etc. Consequently, there is no need to sit in front of a television or go anywhere to get updates from worldwide.
On the other hand, some people argue that conventional sources of entertainment such as theater and cinemas are still important for the economic growth of a country. Although this statement is not denied because of the country's economic dependency on its different sources, theater and cinemas are one of them. Moreover, cultural well-being is significantly influenced by theater shows, as different cultural performances or exhibitions are held there. However, it is an excellent source of cultural representation, gathering, and having quality time with family and friends.
In conclusion, a balanced approach works best, as online entertainment is convenient and all sorts of entertainment are accessible, while traditional sources are beneficial for economic and cultural development
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
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 versus online entertainment, and presents a clear position. In the introduction, the writer states, 'I firmly believe that a balanced approach works best.' Ideas are extended and supported, such as when illustrating convenience with the example of someone watching material after a hectic day, or discussing cultural well-being. However, there is a minor contradiction in the body paragraphs where the writer claims 'this statement is not denied' regarding economic growth, which slightly muddies the phrasing. Nonetheless, the task is fully covered, warranting a solid band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptor fit. Because ideas are extended and supported throughout, the criteria for Band 7 are satisfied.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a brief conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'On the other hand'. However, paragraphing and referencing show some minor flaws. For example, the transition in the second sentence of the introduction has a grammatical glitch ('Although both views have valid arguments, but I firmly believe...'). Additionally, referencing pronouns like 'there' in the third body paragraph ('held there') is slightly ambiguous regarding whether it refers to theaters, cinemas, or exhibitions. Overall arrangement is coherent, placing this securely in the Band 6 territory.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'advanced technology', 'convenient', 'economic growth', and 'cultural well-being'. There are attempts to use less common phrasing such as 'hectic routine' and 'smart gadgets'. However, there are some imprecise collocations and awkward word choices, such as 'watches some entertaining material' and listing 'News, forecasts, movies, dramas, funny videos, and documentaries etc,' where 'etc.' is redundant after 'such as'. Vocabulary usage is functional and communicative, but lexical errors prevent it from reaching higher bands. The range is sufficient for a Band 6 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating conditional and dependent clauses successfully (e.g., 'as you don't need to wait for weekends' and 'a person who is tired from the hectic routine'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, notably the double-marking conjunction error in the introduction ('Although both views have valid arguments, but I...'). Other minor slips include plural-singular agreement issues ('theater and cinemas are one of them' instead of 'one of them' or pluralising both elements correctly) and punctuation/capitalization errors like 'theater' versus 'theatres'. Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded, representing a typical Band 6 profile.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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