Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Streaming platforms now offer almost unlimited entertainment at home, leading some people to believe that cinemas and theatres have lost their purpose. Others, however, maintain that these venues still matter economically and culturally. This essay will discuss both views, but I believe the second is more convincing.

Those who consider cinemas obsolete point to the convenience of services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. For a monthly fee, viewers can watch thousands of films on a phone or television whenever they choose, without travelling or buying expensive tickets. This flexibility has changed viewing habits, especially among young people, and the closure of many local cinemas suggests that audiences are shifting permanently online.

Nevertheless, there are strong arguments that live venues remain important. Economically, they create jobs for actors, technicians and cinema staff, and they attract visitors who spend money in nearby restaurants, hotels and shops. Cities such as London, with its West End theatres, show how a thriving performance sector can support the wider local economy. Culturally, cinemas and theatres provide a shared experience that streaming cannot replicate. Watching a live play or a film on a large screen alongside other people creates an atmosphere that is difficult to reproduce in a living room, and these venues also give local artists a platform to develop their work and preserve a community's cultural identity.

In my opinion, streaming has changed how we consume entertainment, but it has not made theatres and cinemas unnecessary. Where these venues are struggling, the cause is often outdated programming rather than technology, so offering more varied and modern content would help them attract younger audiences. Overall, they still make a valuable contribution to both the economy and society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The introduction clearly sets out the two competing views and states the author's position. The second body paragraph thoroughly explores the arguments supporting the obsolescence of cinemas, highlighting convenience and shifting youth habits. The third body paragraph comprehensively details both the economic benefits, such as local employment and tourism support, and the cultural advantages, such as shared experiences and community identity. Finally, the conclusion provides a logical synthesis and a thoughtful suggestion regarding outdated programming. The ideas are well-developed, extended, and fully supported throughout the essay, meeting all criteria for a high Band 8 score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a very clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct and unified focus. The introduction smoothly transitions into the two opposing viewpoints. Paragraph two initiates the discussion using clear markers like 'Those who consider cinemas obsolete', and paragraph three successfully contrasts this with 'Nevertheless, there are strong arguments'. Cohesive devices such as 'Economically', 'Culturally', and 'Overall' are used naturally and flexibly without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate each stage of the argument, resulting in an effortless flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible vocabulary resource that is well-suited to an academic discussion. Less common and precise items are employed skilfully, such as 'obsolete', 'replicate', 'thriving performance sector', and 'cultural identity'. Collocations are generally natural, and word choices are precise, as seen in phrases like 'viewing habits' and 'outdated programming'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or less ambitious choices, yet the control of vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise shades of meaning effortlessly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences are varied in length and construction, featuring effective subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and conditional ideas, as demonstrated in 'Where these venues are struggling, the cause is often outdated programming rather than technology'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and control of punctuation is consistently strong. Only very occasional minor slips occur, but these never impede communication or distract the reader, easily earning a Band 8.

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