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. In today’s high-pressure environment, whether one is a student or a corporate professional, finding time for loved ones is difficult. 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 instance, during the lockdowns, people were unable to visit public recreational spaces. Even though they had full access to home entertainment via the internet, studies revealed that isolation significantly increased stress levels.

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 traditional theaters 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 candidate has fully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both views—that theatres and cinemas are obsolete due to online entertainment, and that they remain economically and culturally vital—while clearly stating a personal opinion throughout the essay. The introduction outlines the plan, and subsequent body paragraphs extend and support ideas well. For instance, the point about social connection and mental health is reinforced with a relevant real-world example regarding COVID-19 lockdowns. Similarly, the economic and cultural impact is illustrated with the Sydney Opera House. The arguments are well-developed and the position remains consistent from start to finish, comfortably satisfying the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, starting with a clear introductory paragraph, moving into distinct body paragraphs addressing each perspective, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Admittedly', 'On the other hand', 'Secondly', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument, though paragraphing is generally sound. Referencing is mostly clear, such as using 'these kinds of hubs' and 'such establishments' to refer back to physical venues. While transitions could occasionally be smoother to push into Band 8 territory, the overall cohesion easily meets the Band 7 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for some flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'obsolete', 'indispensable', 'recreational spaces', 'authentic platform', and 'cultural identity'. There is an awareness of style and collocation, although minor infelicities occur, such as 'for our good relationships' instead of 'for interpersonal relationships' or 'social well-being', and 'economy boosts' rather than 'economy receives a boost'. Spelling is accurate throughout, and communication is never impeded by lexical choices, placing the response securely at Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The essay uses a variety of complex sentence structures effectively, including conditional and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Even though they had full access to home entertainment via the internet, studies revealed that...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation overall. Minor slips do occur, such as the punctuation error in 'the Sydney opera house, plays a crucial role' where an unnecessary comma splits the subject and verb, and slightly repetitive phrasing in sentence openings ('these kinds of buildings', 'these kinds of hubs'). However, the majority of sentences are accurate and complex structures are handled well, justifying a Band 7 score.

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