Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-21
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)
It is the point of debate that in the digtial age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can spectate all the entertainment they want online, while other thinks that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally. I partially agree with the statement and will explain why in this essay.
Initially, people, nowadays are watching movies and webseries on online platform, such as, netflix, cinemahouse etc rather than travelling to cinemas, where the craze of cinemas is significantly decreasing day by day. While people get the entertainment in home, why are they required to visit in cinemas? also, online platforms have the benefits to watch the videos again and again, where cinemas have no benefit of it.
On the other hand, theatres and cinemas are still crucial both economically and culturally, where they contributed to government through ticket, advertise and brodcasting tax. Cinemas are existing before the smartphones, where it indicates cultural reference, where before smartphones and equipment, cinemas craze are unmatched. Most of the people visit cinemas daily. Advertising companies also get the chance to promote their products through cinemas. Old black and white cinemas are still favourite nowadays and also limited. Cinemas also benefits directors and producers economically by purchasing their movie rights and brodcast them to us.
All the above-discussed assertions lead to the conclusion that, although digital equipments replaced cinemas, the cinemas craze are still unmatched. So, in my opinion, it would be wise enough to say that threatres and cinemas are still crucial both economically and culturally.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that theatres are no longer important due to online streaming, and that they remain economically and culturally vital—while also presenting a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. However, the development of ideas lacks depth and specific examples. For instance, the mention of online platforms like 'netflix, cinemahouse etc' is brief and unsupported by further explanation. Similarly, the economic and cultural points in the third paragraph are somewhat repetitive and generalised, relying on basic assertions rather than fully extended arguments. Nevertheless, a clear position is maintained throughout, placing this response comfortably at Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a recognisable introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used to separate the opposing views and the writer's stance. However, cohesion at the sentence level is occasionally faulty or mechanical. For example, transitional phrases like 'Initially' and 'On the other hand' are used, but internal referencing and logical progression are sometimes unclear, as seen in sentences like 'While people get the entertainment in home, why are they required to visit in cinemas? also, online platforms have the benefits...' Punctuation and capitalisation errors (e.g., 'netflix', 'digtial') also disrupt the flow. Overall, the organizational structure is adequate for a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-related terms such as 'entertainment', 'economically', 'culturally', 'directors', and 'producers'. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are frequently marred by word choice, spelling, and collocation errors, such as 'digtial' instead of 'digital', 'spectate' instead of 'watch', 'cinemahouse' instead of cinemas, and 'brodcasting tax' instead of broadcasting tax/licensing. Furthermore, words like 'craze' are repeated multiple times. Because these errors do not severely impede overall communication, the lexical resource fits the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range, leaning toward a solid Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional or concessive clauses ('while other thinks that...', 'although digital equipments replaced cinemas...'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors present throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('other thinks', 'cinemas craze are'), tense confusion ('Cinemas are existing before...'), and awkward prepositional usage ('visit in cinemas'). Punctuation and article usage also show regular lapses. While meaning is generally recoverable, the high frequency of errors prevents the grammar from achieving a Band 6.0, aligning it more closely with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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