Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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)

Some individuals contend that theatres and cinemas are becoming obsolete as people can access diverse leisure activities online. Others believe that theatres and cinemas are still essential both financially and culturally. This essay will discuss both views and argue that theatres and cinemas remain indispensable in the modern era. Because individuals face daily challenges, visiting these recreational spaces allows them to unwind and recharge. Moreover, these types of areas play a vital role in the local economy and cultural wellbeing.

Admittedly, those who emphasize that in today’s life every person has access to leisure amenities over the internet are justified in their argument. Those who prefer to stay indoors can comfortably enjoy entertainment at home, as they have immediate access to a wide range of digital content. Consequently, they can save time and money.

On the other hand, I strongly align with the view that physical venues remain essential because in this struggling environment where everyone is facing challenges everyday either a corporate worker or a student. People don’t have time to spend with their loved ones. These kinds of hubs bring people together and they spend quality time which they miss every day. By going to such establishments people feel more energetic and recharged. For example, in 2019 due to the lockdown people were not allowed to visit such facilities. Even though they had access to everything on internet, study shows that even with everything they felt more stressed and overwhelmed.

Secondly, these kinds of buildings boost the economy and culture. On one hand, they generate revenue from tickets and at the same time they provide jobs to local workers. Moreover, by creating such spaces they offer an authentic platform to artists and preserve their artwork. This creates a sense of community and cultural identity. For example, the Sydney opera house, plays a crucial role in the economy as well as becoming a landmark and a tourist spot.

In conclusion, both the perspectives which talk about the need of amphitheaters and the opposite one are acceptable but in my opinion having such buildings is a necessity for our good relationships and mental health. Moreover, our culture becomes rich and the economy boosts as well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that cinemas are obsolete versus their economic and cultural importance—and clearly states an opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are extended and supported, such as when the writer mentions the psychological benefits of physical venues and uses the 2019 lockdown example. However, the example regarding the 2019 lockdown contains a minor factual inaccuracy regarding lockdowns occurring in that specific year globally, and the elaboration on economic benefits could be slightly more analytical. Overall, the position is clear throughout, and the main tenets of Band 7 are fully satisfied.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear overall progression. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the introduction, the opposing view, the writer's perspective, economic/cultural points, and the conclusion into distinct blocks. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Admittedly', 'On the other hand', and 'Secondly', though referencing and transitions within paragraphs can occasionally feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, as seen with repeated phrases like 'these kinds of hubs' and 'these kinds of buildings'. Despite these minor flaws, the logical flow is clear throughout, aligning well with Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, employing terms like 'obsolete', 'indispensable', 'leisure amenities', and 'cultural identity'. There are attempts to use less common items with general awareness of style and collocation, although some phrasing is slightly awkward or colloquial, such as 'struggling environment' and 'for our good relationships'. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, and occasional minor inaccuracies do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating subordinating clauses effectively (e.g., 'Because individuals face daily challenges, visiting these recreational spaces allows them...'). There is good control of grammar and punctuation overall, though a few minor errors persist, such as article omissions ('on internet' instead of 'on the internet') and run-on structures or fragmented thoughts ('either a corporate worker or a student'). However, the majority of sentences are clear and correct, and errors rarely impede communication, reflecting the criteria for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

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