Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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 7.0)

It is often claimed that streaming platforms have made theatres and cinemas obsolete, while others believe these venues still serve important economic and cultural purposes. Although I acknowledge the appeal of online entertainment, I believe live and communal venues remain valuable.

Supporters of the first view have a reasonable case. Streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube offer thousands of films and shows for a low monthly fee, which is far cheaper than buying cinema tickets, travelling and paying for snacks. Viewers can also watch whenever they like, pause at will and enjoy content from the comfort of their homes. For families on a tight budget or people living far from a city, this flexibility is a real advantage, and it explains why cinema attendance has fallen in many countries.

However, I believe the opposing argument is stronger. Economically, theatres and cinemas support entire local industries, from actors and technicians to nearby restaurants and transport services. A cinema in a town centre, for example, attracts evening visitors who spend money in surrounding shops. Culturally, these venues create shared experiences that a laptop screen cannot replicate. Live theatre, such as a performance of a Shakespeare play, depends on the energy between performers and the audience, and cinema screens give films a scale and sound quality that most homes cannot match. Moreover, festivals and local productions help preserve national traditions and give emerging artists a platform.

In conclusion, while online platforms offer undeniable convenience and choice, they cannot fully replace the economic contribution and cultural richness of theatres and cinemas. In my view, the two can coexist, and society benefits from keeping both.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the view that theatres and cinemas are no longer important due to online entertainment and the counterargument that they remain economically and culturally vital. Furthermore, the writer clearly states their own opinion in the introduction and consistently supports it throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, such as the specific economic benefits to local industries and the cultural value of shared community experiences. Examples provided, such as Shakespeare performances and town centre cinemas, effectively extend the discussion. The response easily meets the requirements of the prompt and demonstrates a well-considered stance aligned with Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with an introduction that outlines the debate and the writer's position, followed by body paragraphs addressing each perspective, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Supporters of the first view', 'However', and 'Moreover', which guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, resulting in a cohesive piece of writing that fits the Band 7 to Band 8 profile.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'obsolete', 'communal venues', 'flexibility', and 'emerging artists'. Word choices are generally precise and natural, as seen in phrases like 'families on a tight budget' and 'shared experiences'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or common collocations, but spelling and word choice never impede communication. The lexical control demonstrated here easily satisfies the criteria for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer employs a good variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. Examples include concessive clauses ('Although I acknowledge the appeal...') and relative clauses ('...which is far cheaper than buying cinema tickets...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only occasional minor slips that do not disrupt readability. The verbs, tenses, and article usage are managed with a high degree of accuracy. This performance sits comfortably within the Band 7 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.