Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The rise of digital entertainment has led some people to question whether theatres and cinemas are still necessary. While online platforms offer unparalleled convenience, I believe traditional venues remain important because they provide distinctive social and cultural experiences.

Streaming services have made entertainment more accessible than ever. People can watch films, series, and performances whenever they want, often at a low cost. This is particularly beneficial for those who live far from cultural centres or have limited mobility. Moreover, online platforms offer an enormous variety of content from different countries, allowing viewers to discover international cultures without leaving home. For example, Netflix enables users to watch productions from numerous countries instantly.

Theatres and cinemas continue to contribute to society and the economy. Visiting a cinema or attending a theatrical performance is a shared experience that cannot be replicated by watching a screen alone. Audiences react collectively, creating an atmosphere that can intensify emotional engagement. The performing arts also preserve cultural traditions, support local artists and provide employment for actors, technicians and other professionals. Furthermore, cinemas and theatres generate revenue for surrounding businesses, including restaurants, shops and transport providers.

One drawback is for people who can't spend this much time in a single place, such as smokers. Mostly, in these places, smoking is strictly prohibited, and that's a major reason some avoid going there.

In my opinion, although digital entertainment has transformed media consumption, it should complement rather than replace traditional venues. The convenience and affordability of online platforms are undeniable, but theatres and cinemas offer social interaction, cultural preservation and economic benefits that digital services cannot entirely reproduce.

In conclusion, online entertainment will remain popular because of its flexibility and extensive selection. Nevertheless, theatres and cinemas retain cultural and economic significance, and their continued existence is essential.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on digital entertainment versus traditional venues and clearly stating a personal position throughout the essay. However, certain ideas are more fully developed than others. For instance, the economic benefits mentioned in the third paragraph are somewhat generalised, and the fourth paragraph introduces a slightly weak and peripheral argument regarding smokers which lacks broader relevance to the main debate. To reach a higher band, the arguments concerning cultural and economic impacts would need deeper extension and more robust support rather than brief examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from exploring streaming services to analysing traditional venues, and finally arriving at a definitive conclusion. Paragraphing is utilised appropriately, with each main idea grouped into its own distinct section. Cohesive devices such as 'While online platforms', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' are employed to connect ideas, although referencing and linking can occasionally feel slightly mechanical or formulaic. To progress further, the integration between paragraphs could be made more seamless, avoiding abrupt shifts such as the sudden introduction of the point about smokers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task and successfully attempts some less common lexical items, such as 'unparalleled convenience', 'collective engagement', and 'media consumption'. There is a clear awareness of appropriate style and collocation throughout much of the text. However, occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice prevent the response from achieving a higher level, and some phrasing remains fairly standard. To achieve a higher band, the vocabulary would need to display greater precision, flexibility, and a wider variety of sophisticated, less common expressions used with complete naturalness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer exhibits good control over grammar and punctuation, successfully deploying a variety of complex sentence structures alongside simpler forms. Frequent error-free sentences are present, such as in the opening and closing paragraphs where complex noun phrases and subordinate clauses are handled well (e.g., 'While online platforms offer unparalleled convenience, I believe traditional venues remain important...'). A few minor errors persist, but they never impede communication or obscure the writer's meaning. To maintain this solid command, attention should be paid to fine-tuning complex structures and ensuring absolute accuracy across all sentence patterns.

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.