Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-03

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)

After the digital revolution, people argue that theatres and cinemas have lost their value as all the content is available on the internet. While it is true that the internet is a repository for all types of entertainment, I believe that theatres and cinemas are still important today for their own reasons.

People argue, why spend money on cinema and theatre tickets when the same content is available online for free or available on a streaming service whose subscription can be bought at a cheap price. Most films become available digitally after two months of their launch in cinemas, while plays performed in theatres become available online even earlier than that. For example Disney releases all their films on their digital platform which can be purchased at a cheap monthly subscription fee. Doubling down on this, people say a lot of content is exclusively released online in the form of seasons and short films. Also they say there is a wider variety to choose from , as they do not have to be put on a spot to select from the available shows. For example netflix produces its own content and releases it exclusively on its own platform binding people to their app. While online content consumption is easy and cheaper, going to the cinema and theater has never been about the price, it has always been about the experience.

Cinemas provide a different experience of watching a film, the screen, speakers and large audience give a different atmosphere. For example people say it felt better watching a new movie in cinema as they got to hear people live reactions to certain events in the movie. The added benefit is also that people get to watch the movie as soon as it is released, they do not have to wait for it to be released online.

For new content to be produced in more quantity, people must support the cinema and theatre industry. It will allow producers to earn more money and produce even better content in the future. It also creates more job opportunities and helps the film industry prosper. For example American producers invest millions of dollars in film budgets expecting returns from cinema viewership, as online streaming platform viewership cannot recover the costs. Along with cinemas, theatres have their own cultural significance.

Theatres allow tourists and people to experience the local culture and be a part of it. Plays demostrate cultural values and allow people to have a better understanding an connection with where they currently are. It also unravels old stories about the history of the city, which people do not know about. For example plays in Karachi's art council are reported to have made people get a better understanding of the cultural heritage of Karachi.

In conclusion while it is easier and cheaper to view content online, experiencing the cinema and theatre physically allows one to connect more and get a better understading of the plot. It also helps the film industry flourish allowing them to make even better content.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that digital platforms make cinemas obsolete, and that physical venues remain culturally and economically vital—while clearly stating your own position. You extend and support your ideas with relevant examples, such as mentioning Disney and Netflix streaming models, as well as local cultural contexts like Karachi's art council. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise certain points, such as claiming that online streaming viewership cannot recover production costs, which prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Your ideas are generally well-extended, showing a strong engagement with the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

Your essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. You structure the response well, using clear paragraphs that transition from discussing the digital argument to exploring the experiential, economic, and cultural values of theatres and cinemas. You use cohesive devices adequately, such as 'While it is true', 'For example', and 'In conclusion'. However, cohesion can sometimes feel a bit mechanical or repetitive in transitions, such as starting multiple paragraphs with 'For example'. Additionally, referencing is occasionally imprecise, which keeps the essay securely at the current level while showing clear elements of more fluent organisational control.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for some flexibility and precision in discussing entertainment, culture, and economics, with phrases like 'repository', 'exclusively released', and 'cultural significance'. You attempt less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation. However, there are occasional word-choice and spelling errors that prevent a higher score, such as 'demostrate' instead of 'demonstrate', 'understading', and awkward phrasing like 'binding people to their app'. These errors do not impede communication, but they highlight the need for greater precision in spelling and word form.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating various subordinate clauses effectively throughout the essay. There is a reasonable control of sentence structures and punctuation, and your grammar rarely impedes communication. However, some errors persist, particularly with articles, preposition usage, and punctuation omissions in complex constructions, such as missing commas in introductory phrases and minor errors in noun-phrase agreements like 'an connection'. Because these errors occur alongside error-free sentences rather than dominating the text, your writing reflects a solid mixed-structure control.

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