Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-08

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 5.5)

People have contrast opinions regarding the entertainment. Some people argue that digialized world has made possible to watch the entertainment industry online, while others belive that theatres and cinemas are crucial for economic and culture. In my perspective, cinemas and theatres have profound advantages in terms of econmics and preserving the culture; however, online streaming has made entertainment accesible for all.

Cinemas and theatres have been an old practice and people found it connected. Spectators are preferring this old practice because it provides them the real experience of the visuals. For instance, a movie, Oddassy, had been shoot on 70mm camera, which gives a high resolution. People, who are fond to the real expereince would prefer cinema. Also, theatre is one of the old sets people admire and watch. This gives a culture connection. Cinemas and theatres generate a solid amount of revenue. People buy tickets, spend their money, which ultimately goes to the state's revenue department. The generated capital can be benefical to use in different sectors, like health and education.

On other hand, the digitalized world has made online content accessable at any time and place. People can now watch a movie or drama at their suitable time. They are no longer oblige to rush for a movie, as they are available for an indefnite time. Additionally, some online platforms are available for free of cost, such as YouTube, which reduces a significant burden for financially constraint individuals.

Both views have their own logics: I assume that online entertainment gives a freedom to watch their choice of show at anytime of their convenience, and finacial easiness. However, the traditional cinemas and theatres gives a unique experience.

To articulte, cinema and theatres are famous for their stand alone experience and culturally practice phenomenon. Also, cinemas and theatres help a society to generate money, which can be spend in essential sectors. Further, online entertainment area provides a independent well to watch on one's own way of choice, ease financial burden.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the discussion and give a clear overall preference for traditional venues, while acknowledging online entertainment’s convenience and affordability. Relevant support includes the 70mm film example, the shared viewing experience, and ticket revenue that may benefit public services. However, the economic point that ticket spending goes to the state is asserted rather than explained, and the cultural value of theatres is mentioned more than developed. Your final paragraphs repeat the contrast instead of adding a fuller conclusion or extending the reasoning. To strengthen the response, explain more precisely how cinemas and theatres support jobs, local businesses, or cultural preservation, and make your own position consistent and explicit throughout the essay, not only in the later paragraphs. The response is relevant, but some ideas are less fully developed than others.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on traditional venues, a paragraph on online access, and a concluding section. This makes the main contrast easy to identify. However, progression is weakened by the two ending paragraphs, which largely restate earlier points rather than bringing the discussion to a clear synthesis. Some links are mechanical, such as repeated use of “Also” and “Further,” while “On other hand” lacks the article needed for a natural transition. References such as “This gives a culture connection” are not fully clear about what “This” refers to. Group related points more tightly, use transitions that show the precise relationship between ideas, and make the conclusion directly answer the question.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt topic-appropriate vocabulary, including “online streaming,” “high resolution,” “revenue,” and “financially constraint individuals.” These choices show an effort to discuss both cultural and economic aspects. However, noticeable spelling, word-form, and collocation errors reduce precision: “digialized,” “belive,” “econmics,” and “accesible” are misspelled, while “old practice,” “real experience of the visuals,” and “a independent well” are unnatural or unclear. Some key terms are also repeated, particularly “cinemas and theatres” and “online entertainment.” Build a more reliable range of natural phrases for describing access, shared experiences, cultural heritage, and economic benefits, and check spelling and word forms carefully. The intended meaning is generally recoverable, but these errors sometimes make the reader pause.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more developed sentence forms, including a contrastive opening with “while” and a relative clause in “People, who are fond to the real experience…”. Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “Spectators are preferring” uses an awkward progressive form for a general preference, and “People… would prefer cinema” needs a more suitable article or plural form. There are also agreement and article problems in “the traditional cinemas and theatres gives” and “a independent well,” as well as an incomplete construction in “People buy tickets, spend their money, which ultimately goes…”. Aim for accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and complete sentence patterns. Vary complex structures, but prioritise control so that the relationships between clauses are consistently clear.

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.