Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24

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)

In the modern era of technological advancement, accessing various forms of entertainment has become unprecedentedly effortless. While some argue that traditional venues like physical theatres and cinemas have lost their relevance, others contend that these establishments must be preserved to safeguard cultural values. I support the former view, as conventional entertainment platforms have become largely obsolete in the digital age.

Firstly, the omnipresence of smartphones allows individuals to access their favorite movies or shows instantaneously from any location. Consequently, this eliminates the need to purchase tickets in advance or travel to a specific venue, offering unprecedented flexibility in scheduling entertainment. Furthermore, widespread internet availability provides vast amounts of free digital content, allowing users to enjoy media seamlessly without financial constraints.

In addition, with the modern development, many digital platforms offer the customers the freedom to enjoy the video content without any disturbance. Unlike the traditional sources that operate on fixed timelines, the viewers can pause, rewing, fast forward or slip the film across multiple sessions, thereby seamlessly integrating entertainment into their busy lifestyles without wasting time on commutes.

On the other hand, supporters of traditional entertainment venues argue that these spaces possess intrinsic cultural and social value that digital screens cannot replicate. Consequently, they maintain that preserving such platforms is essential to keeping societal and historic traditions alive.

In conclusion, while traditional cinemas and theatres undeniably hold historical and cultural significance, I remain convinced that they have become largely obsolete. The unparalleled convenience, cost-effectiveness, and total scheduling flexibility offered by modern digital devices far outweigh the communal experiences of conventional venues. Moving forward, digital streaming will inevitably serve as the primary medium for global entertainment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on the importance of theatres and cinemas in the digital age and clearly stating an opinion. The writer's position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas presented, such as the convenience of smartphones and free digital content, are extended and supported with relevant explanations. However, the development of the counter-argument regarding cultural value is somewhat brief, and the conclusion simply reiterates the writer's stance rather than offering deeper insight. Overall, the performance aligns well with Band 7 descriptors, as all parts of the task are addressed with a clear position and well-extended ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a well-defined introduction, followed by clear body paragraphs supported by cohesive markers like 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. The transition from discussing the advantages of digital platforms to the opposing view is signalled appropriately using 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically. Cohesive devices are managed well, although referencing and linking remain fairly standard rather than sophisticated. This corresponds to a solid Band 7 for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task, employing terms such as 'unprecedentedly effortless', 'omnipresence', 'intrinsic cultural and social value', and 'obsolete'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though minor collocation or word choice awkwardnesses appear, such as 'rewing' instead of 'rewind' and 'slip the film' instead of 'skip the film'. Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message clearly and with some flexibility, matching the requirements for Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and participial phrases effectively (e.g., 'While some argue that...'). There is good control over grammar and punctuation overall. However, a few minor mechanical errors occur, such as the spelling slip 'rewing' and the slightly awkward phrasing in 'offer the customers the freedom to enjoy the video content without any disturbance'. Sentence structures are varied, and the majority of sentences are error-free, meaning communication is never impeded. These features reflect the characteristics of a Band 7 performance.

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