Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-05

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)

In the digital age, people have to access to a wide range of entertainment through the internet, leading some to believe that theaters and cinemas are no longer necessary. However, others argue that these places continue to have significant economically and cultural importance. Although online platform is convenient and accessible, I believe that theaters and cinemas remain important because they provide unique social experiences and contribute to cultural and economic development.

On the one hand, some people believe that theaters and cinemas are less important because people can easily watch movies, dramas and other form of entertainment online. Streaming platforms allow users to enjoy a huge variety of content from the comfort of their homes, often at lower cost than visiting a cinema or theatre. In addition. online entertainment is more convenient because people can watch what they want and pause or replay it whenever they wish. For example, a person can watch a newly released movie on a streaming service without travelling to a cinema. However, I disagree that this makes theater and cinemas unnecessary, as online websites cannot replace the experience of watching a performance or film in a dedicated venue.

On the other hand, theaters and cinemas play a significant role in society, both economically and culturally. They create employment for actors, directors, technicians, cinema staff and many other workers, while also generating businesses such as resturants and shops. More importantly, theatres preserve cultural traditions and allow people to experience live performaces and films together. For instance, traditional plays and cultural performances can bring younger generation closer to their customs and history. Similarly, watching a film with an audience in a cinema can create stronger emotional and social experience than watching it alone at home. Therefore, I agree that these venues are still valuable despite the rapid growth of online entertainment.

In conclusion, although online platforms have made entertainment more convenient and affordable, I do not believe that theaters and cinemas have become unnecessary. They continue to provide unique experiences, support employments and businesses, and preseves cultural activities. For these reason, I believe that these locations will remain important even in the digital era.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—the rise of online entertainment versus the economic and cultural significance of physical venues—while maintaining a clear personal position throughout. The arguments are extended and supported well, such as noting how venues generate local business and preserve traditional arts. However, the development tends to over-generalise slightly in places, preventing it from reaching the highest tier. For instance, the discussion on streaming and employment covers relevant points, but some ideas could be extended with more specific real-world context. Overall, the task is managed effectively, with a fully maintained viewpoint that guides the essay from introduction to conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a balanced introduction, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to each viewpoint, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'On the other hand' are used flexibly to connect ideas and signal transitions between contrasting perspectives. Paragraphing is managed effectively, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the progression of arguments. Although referencing is mostly clear, a minor slip such as 'For these reason' near the end highlights that cohesive elements could be slightly more polished to achieve full mastery, though the overall structure remains coherent and logical.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision in discussing economic and cultural topics. Less common items such as 'dedicated venue', 'cultural traditions', and 'rapid growth' are attempted with a reasonable awareness of style and collocation. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice, form, and spelling, such as 'have to access to' instead of 'have access to', 'significant economically' instead of 'significant economic', and typos like 'resturants' and 'preseves'. These minor errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the vocabulary from achieving the consistency required at a higher level, keeping the lexical score firmly balanced.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms, showcasing a solid command of grammar. Frequent error-free sentences appear throughout the response, particularly in the handling of conditional concepts and complex noun phrases like 'Although online platform is convenient and accessible, I believe that...'. Good control of punctuation is also evident. A few minor errors persist, such as article omissions or slight agreement slips like 'other form of entertainment' instead of 'other forms' and 'bring younger generation' instead of 'bring the younger generation'. These are minor slips that rarely impede communication, allowing the sentence structures to remain clear, varied, and generally accurate.

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